Question

Briefly describe, in 3-5 sentences, the big-picture idea or central theme of the video talk. Discuss the links between the key ideas presented in the video to this week’s or previous week’s topics. (0-5 points)

What is interesting about the topic presented? (3-5 sentences) (0-5 points)

What are your takeaways from this video talk? Relate the information that you gained from the video to your own personal experience. (3-5 sentences) (0-5 points)

Answer 1

The Main Idea of a Story

Let's cut to the chase. The main idea of this lesson is that the main idea of a story is the most important thing a reader is supposed to walk away with. You've probably heard the literary phrase 'main idea' by one of its many nicknames:

• central idea
• central point
• main point

Regardless of what you call it, the main idea of a story is the big picture.

Knowing if It's the Main Idea?

Sometimes it can be tricky to find the main idea of a story, especially if the story is really long! In some instances, a story may even have more than one main idea. One of the best ways to determine the main idea is to figure what's NOT the main idea first.

Main Idea or Supporting Detail?

The main idea is not detailed or specific. Look at these two statements. Can you tell which one is the main idea and which one is a supporting detail?

• Harry Potter flew across the Quidditch field on his broomstick, leaving a trail of flames behind him.
• Harry Potter learns the trials and tribulations of growing up, the value of friendship and the ability of good to overcome evil.

If you guessed the second statement, then you're correct! If you've ever read the Harry Potter books (or seen the movies!), then you have a general sense for what the series covers. Flying on broomsticks happens all the time, but that is not what readers are meant to take away from the books.

Main Idea or Topic?

When you read, it's important to make sure you know the difference between the main idea and the topic of a story. The topic is what the story is about, or the primary subject. For example, the topic of the Harry Potter series may be 'witchcraft' or 'wizardry'. But that's not the main idea, it's not the big picture concept.

Looking for the Main Idea

As you read, it's always a good idea to keep an eye out for the main idea. The main idea may be easy to pick up in some stories, but in other instances, you may have to go digging for it. Luckily, there are a few strategies you can use to help you.

First, consider breaking up the story into smaller chunks. See if you can find the main idea in paragraphs, sections and chapters. Taking notes as you go is helpful as well. This way, you can look for any common themes between chunks. You may even see a pattern develop between events or character insights.

2. Discuss the links between the key ideas presented in the video to this week’s or previous week’s topics

The topic is the broad, general theme or message. It is what some call the subject. The main idea is the "key concept" being expressed.  Details, major and minor, support the main idea by telling how, what, when, where, why, how much, or how many. Locating the topic, main idea, and supporting details helps you understand the point(s) the writer is attempting to express. Identifying the relationship between these will increase your comprehension.

The successful communication of any author's topic is only as good as the organization the author uses to build and define his/her subject matter.

Grasping the Main Idea:

A paragraph is a group of sentences related to a particular topic, or central theme. Every paragraph has a key concept or main idea. The main idea is the most important piece of information the author wants you to know about the concept of that paragraph.

When authors write they have an idea in mind that they are trying to get across. This is especially true as authors compose paragraphs. An author organizes each paragraph's main idea and supporting details in support of the topic or central theme, and each paragraph supports the paragraph preceding it.

A writer will state his/her main idea explicitly somewhere in the paragraph. That main idea may be stated at the beginning of the paragraph, in the middle, or at the end. The sentence in which the main idea is stated is the topic sentence of that paragraph.

The topic sentence announces the general theme ( or portion of the theme) to be dealt with in the paragraph. Although the topic sentence may appear anywhere in the paragraph, it is usually first – and for a very good reason. This sentence provides the focus for the writer while writing and for the reader while reading. When you find the topic sentence, be sure to underline it so that it will stand out not only now, but also later when you review.

Identifying 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 hub – the central core around which the whole wheel (or paragraph) spins. Your strategy for topic identification is simply to ask yourself the question, "What is this 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 us try this topic-finding strategy. Reread the first paragraph under the heading Grasping the Main Idea. Ask yourself the question, "What is this paragraph about?" To answer, say to yourself in your mind, "The author keeps talking about paragraphs and the way they are designed. This must be the topic – paragraph organization." Reread the second paragraph of the same section. Ask yourself, "What is this paragraph about?" Did you say to yourself, "This paragraph is about different ways to organize a paragraph"? That is the topic. Next, reread the third paragraph and see if you can find the topic of the paragraph. How? Write the topic in the margin next to this paragraph. Remember, getting the main idea of a paragraph is crucial to reading.

The bulk of an expository paragraph is made up of supporting sentences (major and minor details), which help to explain or prove the main idea. These sentences present facts, reasons, examples, definitions, comparison, contrasts, and other pertinent details. They are most important because they sell the main idea.

The last sentence of a paragraph is likely to be a concluding sentence. It is used to sum up a discussion, to emphasize a point, or to restate all or part of the topic sentence so as to bring the paragraph to a close. The last sentence may also be a transitional sentence leading to the next paragraph.

Of course, the paragraphs you'll be reading will be part of some longer piece of writing – a textbook chapter, a section of a chapter, or a newspaper or magazine article. Besides expository paragraphs, in which new information is presented and discussed, these longer writings contain three types of paragraphs: introductory, transitional, and summarizing.

Introductory paragraphs tell you, in advance, such things as (1) the main ideas of the chapter or section; (2) the extent or limits of the coverage; (3) how the topic is developed; and (4) the writer's attitude toward the topic.  Transitional paragraphs are usually short; their sole function is to tie together what you have read so far and what is to come – to set the stage for succeeding ideas of the chapter or section.  Summarizing paragraphs are used to restate briefly the main ideas of the chapter or section. The writer may also draw some conclusion from these ideas, or speculate on some conclusion based on the evidence he/she has presented.

All three types should alert you: the introductory paragraph of things to come; the transitional paragraph of a new topic; and the summarizing paragraph of main ideas that you should have gotten

3.

You’ll do the best job talking about something that is already an interest for you. So, for instance, if you are (just as an example) interested in flying that would be a great topic.

What I’m saying is that while all of us can tell you things that we find interesting, none of us can tell you what you are interested in.

When a person speaks to a group they do the best job when the topic is something that interests them, even excites them. And since you already have an interest you have less research to do for your talk - you already know the topic.

And the topic doesn’t have to be especially dramatic, it doesn’t have to be some earthshaking subject. Your enthusiasm for own interest - whether it’s raising reptiles or repairing bicycles - will be apparent and make the topic interesting to others.

So don’t pick from the excellent suggestions here. Instead, go your own way

4.

1. Story: The most popular type of hook comes naturally to the majority of people. Telling a story or sharing an experience is something we do every day without PowerPoint, so bringing it into your presentation should be a breeze. A story reminds your audience that you are a human being -- a bit of framing that can go a long way. You become more relatable to the audience, which allows your message to get through unobstructed.

2. Video/Graphics: Some topics are best introduced without words. Instead of telling the audience how a new product works, show them; humans have excellent imaginations, but sometimes it’s easier to do the work for your audience. Graphics that are compelling and that can complement your talk track are especially useful for presenters who may not have a way with words. Let multimedia lend you a hand.

3. Belief Statement: We all have our opinions, and hearing someone who agrees or disagrees with them will always grab our attention. If you have a controversial opinion tied to your presentation, use it as your hook! There will be detractors, but even they will want to hear your reasoning.

4. Intriguing Structure: Mapping out where your presentation is headed provides your audience with a path and adds a sense of drama. As you move from section to section, your audience will excitedly anticipate each topic that you’ve previewed, especially if it’s a subject that they are particularly interested in. No one will wonder what’s next or when the next break is; with everyone on the same page, all focus will be on the task at hand.

5. Humor: Not an easy task, but if you’ve got a good joke in your arsenal (that’s relevant), use it. If you can get people laughing, they will feel more comfortable and you will feel more confident. Try out your joke on a friend first, though, because few people handle *crickets* well.

6. Rhetorical Question: If you want your audience to participate, ask them to. It seems simple, but if you pose a question to the audience, even if you don’t expect an answer, you’ll have people participating mentally. Rhetorical questions also are great for effect; sometimes, a few moments of silence can be the best hook.

7. Provocative Statement: Remember our friend Jane McGonigal? By starting her presentation with words she knew she would prickle her audience, she easily drew them in. A provocative statement is like a belief statement on steroids; you’re stating how you feel and inciting a major reaction.

8. Shock/Surprise: This hook type isn’t appropriate for all presentations (you shouldn’t be saying, “I will be in charge in 5 years,” with your boss in the room.) But, used appropriately, a surprising comment can pique an audience’s interest by, frankly, making them uncomfortable. Always consider it, but use with caution.

Be logical about which hook you choose and, perhaps most importantly, be honest with yourself.