A Main Idea Hiding in the Middle

Sometimes the main idea sits in the middle, after an introduction.

Occasionally an author opens a paragraph with a hook, a question, or background information, and then states the main idea in the middle. The details follow it. Read: 'Have you ever wondered why your cat stares out the window for hours? It's not just boredom. Cats are natural hunters, even when they live indoors. Watching birds and squirrels lets them practice tracking prey.

Their tails twitch and their eyes lock onto movement, just as a wild cat's would. ' The first two sentences hook the reader. The third sentence is the main idea: cats are natural hunters. The last two sentences give details. To find a middle main idea, look for the most general statement that the other sentences support, wherever it appears.

Don't automatically pick the first sentence just because it's first.

• 1A paragraph may open with a hook or background.
• 2The main idea can come after the hook.
• 3Look for the most general statement, wherever it is.