Finding the Topic
The first thing you must be able to do to get at the main idea of a paragraph is to identify the topic - the subject of the paragraph. Think of the paragraph as a wheel with the topic being the center. In order to identify the topic of a piece of reading, simply ask yourself the question, "What is this piece of writing about?" Keep asking yourself that question as you read a paragraph, until the answer to your question becomes clear. Sometimes you can spot the topic by looking for a word or two that repeat. Usually you can state the topic in a few words.
Let's practice...
Read the paragraph below.
Many people in India don't eat beef, but they still find many uses for cattle. Cows provide milk for drinking and for other dairy products. Young cattle are used for plowing fields and carrying big loads. This is how cows are used in India
Remember: To find the topic, ask yourself, "What is this piece of writing about?"
So, what is the topic of this piece of writing? If you said COWS, you are right. This piece of writing is basically about COWS.
Many people in India don't eat beef, but they still find many uses for cattle. Cows provide milk for drinking and for other dairy products. Young cattle are used for plowing fields and carrying big loads. This is how cows are used in India
Remember: To find the topic, ask yourself, "What is this piece of writing about?"
So, what is the topic of this piece of writing? If you said COWS, you are right. This piece of writing is basically about COWS.
Let's try another one...
Read the paragraph below.
Some college teachers in Michigan have made a small computer that looks like an orange. The computerized orange will help people find ways to avoid damaging fruits during shipping. It will be picked and handled like real fruit. Since much fruit is damaged on its way to market, this machine will measure shaking and temperature changes.
Remember: To find the topic, ask yourself, "What is this piece of writing about?"
So, what is the topic of this piece of writing? If you said that this piece of writing is about a computer that looks like an orange OR a computerized orange, you are right again. This piece of writing is basically about this computerized orange..
Some college teachers in Michigan have made a small computer that looks like an orange. The computerized orange will help people find ways to avoid damaging fruits during shipping. It will be picked and handled like real fruit. Since much fruit is damaged on its way to market, this machine will measure shaking and temperature changes.
Remember: To find the topic, ask yourself, "What is this piece of writing about?"
So, what is the topic of this piece of writing? If you said that this piece of writing is about a computer that looks like an orange OR a computerized orange, you are right again. This piece of writing is basically about this computerized orange..
Go back to that TASK page and check out task #3.