MAIN IDEA, DETAILS, AND AUTHOR’S PURPOSE（主要观点、细节和作者的目的）.doc

Name ___________________________________________________________ Date _________________________________ Period _________ Main Idea, Details, and Author’s Purpose Standard Addressed: WS1.1 – Establish a controlling impression or coherent thesis that conveys a clear and distinctive perspective on the subject and maintain a consistent tone and focus throughout the piece of writing; WS 1.4 – Develop the main ideas within the body of the composition through supporting evidence (e.g., scenarios, commonly held beliefs, hypotheses, definitions). ESLR: Resourceful Learner Main Idea The main idea or theme of a reading selection is the topic the passage is mostly about. A selection’s main idea is sometimes evident through reading the first or last sentences of the passage. However, to get a full understanding of the main idea, you must read the entire passage. Longer reading passages can have more than one main idea. Directions: Read the following short passages. Pay attention to the information from the first and last sentences and then determine the main idea of each passage. Sully had always dreamed of getting a Jack Russell terrier puppy, and she reminded her mother of this frequently. On Sully’s birthday one year, Sully’s mother, Ms. Reyes, met her daughter after school and told her they had to pick up a few things for dinner. The market was right next to a pet store! But Ms. Reyes bought only sugar, milk, and eggs for a birthday cake, and then they drove home without so much as a glance at the pet store. When they arrived home, Ms. Reyes said, “Why don’t you go play in your room? I think there might be a surprise in there for you.” Sully rushed to her room and flung open the door. Sure enough, on her bed was a puppy—but it was a stuffed toy. Sully was delighted with the toy and thanked her mother, but she still longed for a real, live pet. That night after dinner, after Sully had opened presents from her sister and friends, Ms. Reyes said, “Sully, would y