After you identify the topic of a selection, you then are on your way to finding the main idea. As you read through a reading selection, you must distinguish between the main idea statements and the supporting details. What is the difference?
Details explain, illustrate, elaborate upon the main idea. Details are specific pieces of information. Main idea statements are general and broader.
There is some evidence that colors affect you physiologically. For example:
When subjects are exposed to red light respiratory movements increase; exposure to blue decreases respiratory movements. Similarly, eye blinks increase in frequency when eyes are exposed to red light and decrease when exposed to blue. This seems consistent with intuitive feelings about blue being more soothing and red being more arousing. After changing a school’s walls from orange and white to blue, the blood pressure of the students decreased while their academic performance improved. (DeVito, qtd. in McWhorter 136)
There is some evidence that colors affect you physiologically (main idea).
For example, when subjects are exposed to red light respiratory movements increase; exposure to blue decreases respiratory movements. Similarly, eye blinks increase in frequency when eyes are exposed to red light and decrease when exposed to blue. This seems consistent with intuitive feelings about blue being more soothing and red being more arousing. After changing a school’s walls from orange and white to blue, the blood pressure of the students decreased while their academic performance improved. (Supporting details)
(1) There are many different kinds of mice. Some are good swimmers; others like to swing from trees by their tails. And one kind, the white-footed mouse, is not only a good swimmer and tree climber, but it's also quite musical!
(2) This minute, furry creature's body is about 8 inches (20 cm) long, with a tail of another 3 inches (7.5 cm). It weighs only about 0.8 ounces (23 g). It's been around North America for a long time; scientists have found 40- million-year-old fossils of the tiny creature's ancestors!
(3) Some people call the white-footed mouse the "wood mouse" because it lives in so many wooded areas throughout North America. Other people call the white-footed mouse the "deer mouse." One reason is that its fur is the same colors as a deer's—soft brown on its back; white on its underside. Another reason is that the mice carry deer ticks that spread Lyme disease.
1. What is the main idea of this selection?
a. Deer are brown and white.
b. The white-footed mouse taps its paws in a drumming sound.
c. The woods of North America are full of mice.
d. Scientists study the habits of mice.
2. Which is a supporting detail for that main idea?
a. The white-footed mouse is also known as the wood mouse.
b. The deer mouse may carry ticks that transmit a disease.
c. The mouse taps on a dead leaf or hollow log.
d. The white-footed mouse isn't very big.
3. Which would make the best substitute title for this selection?
a. "How to Build a Better Mousetrap"
b. "Concert in the Woods"
c. "Caution: Lyme Disease Ahead!"
d. "All about Rodents"