Every piece of writing contains three elements: a main idea, a topic, and
supporting details. Each of these three elements helps to create a piece of
writing that makes sense to the reader. If a piece of writing is missing one of
these three things the reader may get confused or misunderstand the point the
writer is trying to make. The combination of all three of these elements makes
for a clear piece of writing.
The purpose or message contained in a piece of writing is its main idea. In
other words, a main idea is the information that a writer wants to convey to a
reader. The reader's job is to figure out the main idea or the point of a piece
of writing. In many cases, the main idea is presented to the reader in the first
or second sentence of a paragraph.
The main idea is a statement that is usually supported by several specific
details. The writer offers a main idea and then tries to prove to the reader
that it is correct. For instance, a girl writes, 'My cat is very smart.' That is
the main idea of her story. She goes on to write, 'My cat catches all of the
mice in our house and she figured out how to climb up on top of our
refrigerator. Also, she can ring our doorbell.' Those sentences contain details
that support or try to prove that her cat is very smart. If a paragraph is well
written, the reader often agrees with the main idea of the writer.
The topic of a piece of writing is its subject. Before a writer begins to write,
he or she decides on the topic or what subject to write about. A reader can
usually figure out the topic of a paragraph in its first few sentences. In some
cases, there is a different topic in each new paragraph of a piece of writing.
As you are reading any story or piece of work, ask yourself what the writer is
writing is about. The answer to that question will be its topic. For example,
say a paragraph begins like this, 'Bullfrogs live in ponds. They eat flies and
other insects. Their young are called tadpoles.' What are the sentences about?
Bullfrogs. Therefore, the topic is bullfrogs.
The supporting details of a piece of writing are the items of evidence that a
writer uses to prove a point. A writer can't convince anyone that his or her
main idea is correct without offering proof. A writer must offer as many
supporting details as possible. In addition, the most convincing sort of
supporting details are the ones that are fully explained. Specific examples and
facts are very effective for proving that a main idea is correct.
Supporting details are easy to spot in a paragraph because they closely follow
the main idea. Sometimes they are presented in numerical order. For instance, a
writer starts a paragraph with this sentence, 'Recess time is beneficial to an
elementary school student.' That is the main idea that the writer must now back
up with supporting details. The supporting details may be put into numerical
order like this, 'First, recess gives an elementary school student the chance to
get some healthy exercise. Secondly, recess allows an elementary student to get
rid of any excess energy so he or she can work successfully in class the rest of
the day. Third, playing at recess can help an elementary school student improve
their jumping, running, kicking, and throwing skills.' The quality of the
supporting details in a piece of writing can help a writer convince a reader
that his or her message is a valid one.
If a writer uses a main idea, topic, and supporting details in a work of writing
he or she will successfully convey information to readers. All three elements
work together to make a writer's intentions understandable to a reader.
For additional information on identifying main ideas, topics, and supporting
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