Standardized tests often ask students to identify evidence for a particular main idea. To teach students how to do this, first clarify three key terms.

TOPIC: who or what the reading passage is about.

MAIN IDEA: The most important point the author is making about the topic.

DETAILS:The specific words and sentences that are repeated in the text.

Explanation:

TOPIC: The topic is simply the subject of the passage (e.g., panda or panda cub). The topic can be stated in 1-2 words.

MAIN IDEA: Although the topic is a couple of words, the main idea is always a sentence. It’s the most important or overall point the author is making. The topic (e.g., panda cub) is embedded in the main-idea sentence. But the rest of the sentence more narrowly reveals a specific facet or perspective of the topic (e.g., Panda cub is ready for public debut).

EVIDENCE: Evidence of the main idea includes the words, phrases, and sentences within the original text that repeat or reiterate the sentiment of the main-idea sentence.

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