Lesson Review

1. Definitions
2. Main Point - the primary idea the author wants to communicate
3. Primary Support - a statement that directly supports the main point
4. Secondary Support - a statement that supports another supporting statement
5. Strategies for discerning the Main Point:
6. Context: take advantage of the work you have already done.
7. Observations of themes, purpose and key words
8. Your outline of the larger context
9. Conclusions of the paragraph at hand. Ask:
10. What is the primary issue being addressed?
11. What questions are being answered?
12. What conclusion(s) does the author come to?
13. Supporting Elements: let the supporting statements guide you to the main point.
14. Links: pay careful attention to the connecting words.   
15. Use your paraphrase as a test for discerning the main point