Examples of main ideas in paragraphs and how to define them

Examples of main ideas that we can easily find are from books, novels, articles, to news. These four things are basically built with various main ideas in each paragraph. For example, when you read a news story, you will get the most important part of each paragraph. The most important part is usually referred to as the main idea or often also said to be the main idea.

Learning and understanding the main idea is basically a difficult thing that is difficult and easy. In determining the main idea of ​​a paragraph, you need to read and pay close attention to each sentence of the paragraph. Apart from that, questions about examples of main ideas also often come out during UTBK, especially about TPS General Knowledge and Understanding (PPU). Therefore, understanding the main idea is very important to you.

This article will explain to you examples of main ideas and how to determine the main idea of ​​a paragraph. However, before discussing examples of main ideas, it is better to review what the main ideas or main ideas mean. The following is a discussion of examples of main ideas that have been successful in a concise sinaumedia. Come on, look at the discussion of the following main ideas, OK?

A. Definition of Main Idea

Broadly speaking, the main idea can basically be understood as an idea or ideas that become the subject of the development of a paragraph. This is what makes many people also call the main idea the main idea. The main idea is usually in the main sentence of a paragraph. In addition, each paragraph will have only one main idea.

The existence of the main idea in a paragraph will greatly assist the reader in understanding and also determine the main ideas that the author wants to convey. Not only that, the main idea will really help the writer to develop his writing. The existence of explanatory sentences in a paragraph is the author’s way of developing his ideas.

Another thing to note from the main idea or main idea is that the main sentence is not always located in the first sentence. The various forms of paragraphs result in the main sentence being in the first sentence, the last sentence, or even in the first and last sentence.

B. Main Idea Characteristics

After knowing about the meaning of the main idea and its function, this section will explain the characteristics of the main idea that need attention. The following main idea characteristics will really help you in determining the main idea when reading examples of main idea questions. Some of the key features of the idea include:

1. Contains the main issues or core issues.

2. The core problem is conveyed explicitly in the main sentence.

3. The main idea has an explanatory sentence or a supporting sentence from the main sentence.

4. Explanatory sentences or supporting sentences are conveyed more specifically or explanatory.

C. How to Determine the Main Idea

After knowing about the meaning and characteristics of the main idea, here’s how to determine the main idea in a paragraph. How to determine the main idea is actually not too difficult, it’s just that you need to focus and be careful when reading each paragraph. Well, here’s a complete way you can do in determining the main idea in paragraphs.

1. Read Entire Paragraph Carefully

The first way you can do to determine the main idea of ​​a paragraph is to read the paragraph carefully and thoroughly. However, if you are working on a problem, it would be nice for you to first read the questions or instructions from the problem. It can make you more effective when reading and determining the main idea of ​​a paragraph.

If the question or order from the problem requires you to determine the main idea of ​​the entire text. After that, you can only read the text carefully according to your needs in answering the question. When reading each paragraph in a text carefully basically to make it easier for you to determine the main sentences as well as explanatory sentences effectively and efficiently.

2. Look at the First Sentence to the End

The second way you can do in determining the main idea of ​​a paragraph is by looking at the first sentence to the last sentence. The paragraph itself usually has a sentence structure consisting of several sentences that you need to pay attention to when reading it. This is done so that you can minimize sentences in paragraphs that are missed or can also be forgotten to read.

See also  difference between simple interest and compound interest

3. Read Every Sentence

The third way you can do in determining the main idea of ​​a paragraph is by reading each sentence. In some examples of existing paragraphs, the main idea is usually located at the beginning, at the end, or it could also be at the beginning and end of a paragraph. By reading carefully and thoroughly the entire text, you will be able to prevent any sentences from being missed.

4. Mark the Main Idea in Main Sentences

The third way you can do in determining the main idea of ​​a paragraph is to mark the main idea. The main idea is often in the main sentence. The main sentence itself can be understood as a sentence that contains a description or represents the contents of the entire paragraph. In addition, the main sentence consists of general statements that are detailed and studied and followed by other sentences. One of the signs of a sentence that has a main idea is a sentence that does not contain reference words such as that, those, and their endings. The main sentence uses keywords more often, starting from like is, in essence, so, the most important, in principle, as a conclusion, thus, and so on.

5. Highlight Important Information in Paragraphs

The last way you can do in determining the main idea in a paragraph is to mark important information in paragraphs. Important information from a paragraph basically contains keywords. For example, in the main sentence “Waste can cause many problems and diseases for the people around it”.

Based on the analysis of important information from the main sentence, namely garbage that can cause many problems. This information can be important for you when determining the main idea in a paragraph. Therefore, you are required to match the answer choices that best suit this information.

D. An example of how to determine the main idea in a paragraph

After understanding the meaning, characteristics and five ways to determine the main idea in a paragraph. The following will present an example to determine the main idea in a paragraph, including:

Please pay attention to the following paragraphs:

People who are about to retire need not stress. Retirement means not working, but getting a salary. Being out of service means they have less to worry about at work and more free time for leisure. If free time can be optimized with positive and productive activities, then people will not be stressed.

In this paragraph, the main idea is in the first sentence. The main idea of ​​the paragraph above is “No need to stress when facing retirement”.

Based on the analysis that has been done on other sentences. In addition to the first sentence or the second sentence and so on basically has a function as an explanatory sentence for the main sentence (first sentence). This can be seen in the following example, namely in the sentence, “Being out of service means they don’t have to worry about work and have lots of free time to relax.” This sentence has the role of referring to the main sentence or can be said to provide “reasons” regarding the question “Why do people who retire do not need to stress.”

Now, after you can understand the analysis example above, here is another example.

The mud flood disaster caused by the collapse of the Situ Gintung embankment in South Tangerang has caused various diseases. Some of the diseases that will arise after the disaster are diarrhea, typhus, leptospirosis and dengue fever. Health problems for victims and the community around the disaster site must be anticipated immediately. Some of these diseases arise because the environment is dirty and clean water sources are polluted by mud.

This paragraph basically has the main idea in its first sentence, namely “The mud flood disaster caused by the collapse of the Situ Gintung embankment in South Tangerang caused various kinds of diseases”.

If you have read carefully and thoroughly the paragraph, you can definitely see that the second sentence and so on only have a function to explain and describe the disease from the mud flood disaster. The next sentence presents more specific information, so it doesn’t show a sign as the main idea. For example, in the second sentence of the paragraph contains an example of the disease caused. In addition, the last sentence in the paragraph also explains the causes of the emergence of the disease, does not explain the causes in general.

E. Examples of questions about main ideas of paragraphs

After you can understand examples of main idea analysis in a paragraph, the following is an example of main idea questions that you can use to practice.

1. Example Question 1

Example paragraph text looking for main ideas quoted from ‘Definitely TOP Success in SD/MI 2016 Exams’ published by Duta Publisher

Turning Used Goods into Works

Recycling is the activity of reprocessing unused items into new works. Used goods that can be recycled, including drink bottles, newspapers, and rags. Recycling is done to prevent many items from being wasted.

See also  Definition of Sets to History, Ways of Expressing, and Types

There are many benefits of recycling used goods, one of which can increase income. We can sell recycled handicrafts. In addition, recycling used goods can be a useful activity for children. Used items that children can recycle, such as old newspapers. The way to recycle used newspapers is quite easy, namely by soaking used newspaper that has been torn into a bucket filled with water for a day and a night. Then, the newspaper is blended and mixed with glue. The results of recycled newspapers can be formed into various creations.

Leftover fabrics or rags can be made into dolls or multipurpose storage containers. Various ways of making dolls from patchwork can be found on the internet. You won’t have any trouble making items out of the patchwork.

Quoted from Koran Berani, 6 November 2015, with changes

1. The main idea of ​​the third paragraph in the text ‘Turning Used Goods into Works’ is…

A. the benefits of recycling used newspapers
B. the benefits of recycling rags
C. how to recycle used goods
D. collecting rags

Answer B

Discussion:

The main idea of ​​the third paragraph in the text is contained in the first sentence. The first sentence explains the benefits of patchwork that can be used to make dolls or multi-purpose storage.

2. Sample Question 2

The text of the paragraph is quoted from the book ‘Collection of Questions and Discussion of the 2009 STAN Entrance Examination’ published by Kawan Pustaka

The focus of the driver in a moving vehicle is to look ahead through the windshield, not the rearview mirror. Focusing on the mirror will affect the speed of the vehicle and it is not impossible to cause an accident. The use of the rear view mirror is only occasional and every time it is used only for an instant, not for long (Kompas, 9 July 2007)

2. The main idea of ​​the paragraph above is

A. the driver’s main task is to look at the windshield
B. the use of the rearview mirror is sufficient at times
C. the effect of the rearview mirror on vehicle speed and accidents
D. the driver must look ahead

Answer A

Discussion:

The main idea of ​​a paragraph is the subject matter or subject matter. The main idea is general in nature and explained by specific explanatory ideas.

3. Sample Question 3

The text of the paragraph is quoted from the book ‘Definitely TOP Success in SD/MI 2014 Exams’ published by Duta Publisher

The Jakarta – Merak Toll Road Section is Uncomfortable

As a user of the Jakarta – Merak, Banten toll road, especially the Cikupa-Cilegon section, I really feel uncomfortable. Every day there are sections of the road that are repaired, then half of the roads are closed. As a result, traffic jams and long lines. For those who go with high punctuality, don’t expect to be on time.

For the Cilegon-Cikupa direction, there are currently seven location points where the road sections are being repaired. The repair length varies between 1 and 2 kilometers, namely at Kilometer 74, Kilometer 65, Kilometer 56, Kilometer 51, Kilometer 49, Kilometer 44 and Kilometer 31.

Toll roads really need to be repaired so that toll users can be comfortable, safe, without obstacles. However, the problem seems to be that the repair never ends. In the last two years there have been toll roads that have been repaired. Sometimes those that were repaired were about 100 meters, but roads that were closed were more than 0.5 kilometers. The funny thing is, the road that had been repaired a few months later cracked again.

Is it possible for toll road repairs to be arranged in such a way so that traffic jams do not occur at multiple points at the same time? As a toll road user who has paid a high price, of course we hope that by using the toll road, the trip will be smooth.

3. The main idea of ​​the second paragraph in the text is…

A. the number of damaged roads
B. the direction of the repaired roads
C. the location of the damaged roads
D. the length of the repaired roads

Answer C

4. Sample Question 4

Fuel oil has a variety of uses. Motorcycles use pertalite fuel. Diesel-engined vehicles use diesel fuel. Airplanes use avtur as fuel. Housewives use kerosene as fuel for oil stoves.

4. The main idea of ​​the paragraph is ….

A. uses of fuel oil
B. various types of vehicles
C. household fuel
D. benefits of pertalite and kerosene

Answer key: A

5. Example Question 5

Traffic accidents on the highway are caused by various things. Many road users do not obey traffic rules. For example speeding, violating traffic signs, and wanting to win alone. In addition, many vehicles are not equipped with mirrors. If all road users obey the rules, then traffic accidents can be reduced.

5. The main idea of ​​the paragraph is ….

A. observance of traffic on the highway
B. awareness of traffic on the highway
C. causes of road accidents
D. reduce road accidents

Answer key: C

Book Recommendations & Related Articles