Topic - What the paragraph or selection is about
Main Idea - What the author is trying to say about the topic
Supporting details - Facts, reasons, examples, or opinions which prove or explain the main idea
The topic is ? ;
The main idea is ? ;
The supporting details are ?
Opinions: I believe, we feel, she thinks...
Reasons: because, due to...
Examples: For example, For instance, To illustrate....
Importance or Order:first, second, next, then, finally...
the entire selection
finding the topics, main ideas, and supporting details
using all the main ideas of the selection
