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Grade 5 English: Main idea and summarising poster

A one-page CAPS Grade 5 English poster on main idea and summarising (Reading and writing), with the key ideas, key words and a tip to remember.

CAPS Grade 5EnglishReading and writingFree
English · Grade 5 · Reading and writing
Main idea and summarising

1What is the main idea?

The main idea is what a whole text, or a paragraph, is mostly about. You can say it in one sentence.

Example

Penguins are birds that swim instead of flying.

2Details

Details are the smaller facts that support the main idea. They give more information.

Example

Main idea: Exercise keeps us healthy.
Detail: It makes our muscles stronger.

3Topic sentences

The first sentence of a paragraph often tells the main idea. It is called the topic sentence. The other sentences give the details.

Example

Our school started a recycling project.

4Choosing a title

  • A good title is short.
  • It tells the main idea.
  • It is not too wide: Sport is too wide for a text about netball.

5Writing a summary

  • Retell the main idea and the most important details.
  • Use your own words.
  • Make it much shorter than the text.
  • Keep the ideas in order. Leave out your own opinion.

6Finding the main idea

  • Read the whole text.
  • Ask: who or what is this mostly about?
  • Check the first sentence.
  • The other sentences should be details about it.

Key words

main idea
what a text is mostly about
detail
a smaller fact that supports the main idea
topic sentence
the sentence that tells the main idea
title
a short name that tells the main idea
summary
a short retelling in your own words
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For your students

Learners can practise this topic for free with a short quiz and flashcards, with no sign-up. Open the Main idea and summarising revision.

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