The main idea is not always clearly stated. It is more difficult to identify the main idea when it is inferred or implied. It can be implied through other words in the paragraph. An implied main idea can be found in several ways.
1. Several sentences in a paragraph can imply the main idea by introducing facts about the topic before actually stating the topic.
2. Implied ideas can be drawn from facts, reasons, or examples that give hints or suggestions concerning the main idea. These hints will be clues leading you to discover the main idea in the selected text.
Try the passage below to see if you can pick out the main idea.
<span>The reason why Odysseus continued to taunt the Cyclops as he pulls away
from the shore is to claim his pride of defeating Cyclops and show the latter
his incomparable and unparalleled strength which was able to vanquish him to
his failure.</span>
