: Determine the primary person, place, or thing the entire passage discusses. 3. Strategies for Spotting the Main Idea
: If a word or phrase appears repeatedly, it is likely the topic. : Determine the primary person, place, or thing
A simple way to remember the difference is the : : Determine the primary person
: Represents the top of the umbrella. It is broad, often just one or two words (e.g., "Penguins"). : Determine the primary person, place, or thing
: Represents the handle. It supports the top and is more specific, usually expressed in a full sentence (e.g., "Penguins are uniquely adapted to survive in harsh Antarctic climates"). 2. Steps to Identify the Main Topic