Techniques for Identifying an Implied Main Idea

Step 1: Identify the topic.

The topic of a passage is its subject, what the passage is all about. You should be able to state the topic of a passage in one or two words, such as identity, leadership, freedom.

Step 2: Think about what the passage describes.

After you find the topic, think about what the passage is all about, isolate the details, including the examples, facts, statistics, reasons, definitions, and descriptions in the paragraph. See how all the details fit with the topic. As you read, ask yourself, “How can I use these pieces of information to find the main idea?”

Step 3: Think about what the description suggests.

Now that you have the topic and details, think about what the writer is saying about the subject. Put together the details to “read between the lines.” Try to state the implied main idea in your own words. Then look at all the answer choices. Eliminate the choices that are too broad and general to be the main idea. Cross out the choices that are too narrow and specific to be the main idea. From the remaining choices, pick the one that best summarizes the contents of the passage.