1.4. Identifying Main Ideas
Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students will:
- Use headings and subheadings to predict the main ideas of a text before reading.
- Recognize and underline key sentences that express the main ideas of each section.
- Use a graphic organizer to clearly pair main ideas with supporting details.
- Explain how identifying main ideas and supporting details enhances understanding of clinical medical assistant responsibilities.
Part 1: What is main idea?
- What do you think the “main idea” of a text means?
- Why is main idea important in understanding medical information?
The main idea is the most important point or message in a text. It tells what the text is mostly about in one clear sentence. The details in the text support or explain the main idea. Understanding main idea is important for healthcare workers because it helps them quickly understand what is important and what action to take. A medical assistant must understand the key information in a report or instructions quickly. For example, if a document explains how to prepare a patient for a test, the main idea tells you the most important steps to follow. When reading a patient’s chart or medical instructions, look for the title, first sentence, or repeated words. Important details, like a diagnosis or medication instructions, usually support the main idea.
Part 2: Read and predict
- Look at each of the below titles and and subheadings. Read the headings only and predict what the main ideas might be based on the headings and your existing knowledge.
- Write down your predictions and when you finish compare your answers with a partner.
- Click each subheading to see the full text and skim it quickly to see if your predictions about the main ideas were correct.
Part 3: Supporting Sentences and Details
Every paragraph has a main idea, but it also has supporting sentences that give more information about it. These supporting sentences may include:
- Examples (real-life situations, facts, or experiences)
- Explanations (why something is important or how it works)
- Details (extra information that helps the reader understand better)
For example, if the main idea of a paragraph is:
“Clinical Medical Assistants (CMAs) help patients feel comfortable in medical settings.”
The supporting sentences might include:
- Example: “Many patients feel nervous when visiting a doctor’s office, but a CMA greets them with a smile and speaks to them calmly.”
- Explanation: “When CMAs explain procedures clearly, patients know what to expect and feel less anxious.”
- Detail: “CMAs also assist elderly patients and children, making sure they feel safe and cared for during their visit.”
Part 4: Practice
Activity 1
Now, read the passage ‘The Role of a Clinical Medical Assistant’ again, and identify the supporting and identify supporting details that back up each main idea. Your instructor will assign you to read one paragraph. You can organize it in a table format as you can see below. Once you finish, you are going to share your work with your group members.
Activity 2
Now write a short summary (2-3 sentences) for each section of the text, incorporating the main ideas and supporting details. You should aim to explain the primary responsibilities of clinical medical assistants in your own words.
After you finish, share and review each other’s summaries.
Discuss:
- What are the key responsibilities of a clinical medical assistant?
- Why is it important to differentiate between main ideas and supporting details in texts related to healthcare roles?
- How the ability to identify main ideas and details helps us understand the future roles and responsibilities of CMA.
