💡 Topic or Main Idea?

Hello! Every story has a topic and a main idea. Today we will listen to a little story and find both.

One day Mina found a tiny seed. She planted it in a pot. “Let’s see what happens,” she said.

Mina watered the pot every day and waited. Days went by, but there was still nothing in the pot. Mina did not give up.

One morning a tiny shoot appeared in the pot! It grew a little more every day, and at last a beautiful flower opened. Mina was so happy.

First, the topic. The topic is who or what a text is about. We say it in one or two words. The topic of this story is a seed, or how a seed grows.

Now the main idea. The main idea is the message the author wants to give us, and we usually say it in one sentence. In this story the message is: patience and hard work bring good results.

Let’s put them side by side. The topic is short: a seed. The main idea is a sentence: patience and hard work bring good results.

Here is a clue: look at the title! A title often hints at the topic or the main idea. “The Patient Seed” makes us think of patience, and “Found It Together” makes us think of working together.

A second story: Sam’s cat got lost. When friends helped to look, they found the cat together. The topic of this story is a lost cat. But what is the main idea?

Summary: the topic is who or what a text is about, in one or two words. The main idea is the author’s message, in one sentence. The title gives you a clue. Now try it in Ana Fikir Kâşifi!