What is a main idea?

The main idea is the most important point of a paragraph or a whole text, what it is mainly about. The other sentences give details that support it. Finding the main idea helps you understand and summarise what you have read.

Examples

• A paragraph about brushing, flossing and check-ups has the main idea 'looking after your teeth'.
• The main idea is often in the first or last sentence.
• The title of a text often hints at its main idea.

Quick facts

• Supporting details explain or back up the main idea.
• A good summary states the main idea in one sentence.