When reading, it is essential to capture the main point of the passage. This is what we usually call the MAIN IDEA. It is indeed the most IMPORTANT part of a reading selection.
Since it is so IMPORTANT, we need to LEARN to find IT. Easier said than done.
Here are a few suggestions for you:
1. LOOK FOR A GENERAL STATEMENT
2. SEE IF THE STATEMENT IS SUPPORTED BY OTHER IDEAS.
Let's try to identify the main idea in this passage:
Poor grades in school can have various causes. For one thing, students may have financial problems. If they need to work long hours to make money, they will have little study time. Another cause of poor grades may be trouble with relationships. A student may be unhappy over family problems or lack of friends. That unhappiness can harm school grades. A final cause of poor grades may be bad study habits. Some students have never learned how to take good notes in class, how to manage their time effectively, or how to study a textbook. Without such study skills, their grades are likely to suffer.
