18th Bel120 class... Identifying main ideas

nA topic (the general idea or subject). It can be stated in a sentence or just a few words.

nA main idea (the controlling point the author is making about the topic). It is often stated in a topic sentence.

nSupporting details are specific ideas to develop, explain, or support the main idea.

nA topic sentence is a single sentence that states the author’s main idea.

nTopic sentences can come:

nat the beginning of a paragraph.

nwithin the paragraph.

nat the end of a paragraph.

nat the beginning and at the end of a paragraph