Cara cepat mencari / menemukan gagasan utama (main idea)Apa itu gagasan

utama (main idea)

Main idea adalah pokok pikiran dari sebuah paragraf yang memuat sebuah keterangan,
penjelasan, uraian, atau pendapat dari si penulis tentang topik (pokok bahasan). Gagasan utama
(main idea) merupakan penjelasan daari topik atau judul teks. Main idea dituangkan dalam
kalimat lengkap. Ingat, gagasan utama (main idea) berupa kalimat lengkap, karena berisi
penjelasan tentang topik bahasan. Jika pertanyaan tentang main idea (gagasan utama) maka
jawabannya berupa KALIMAT LENGKAP, berbeda dengan topik (satu kata / frase). Main Idea
biasanya terletak di awal, akhir, atau di tengah sebuah paragraf.
1. Cari dulu topik / tema dari paragraf pertama.
2. Perhatikan kata / frase yang sering digunakan (disebut) oleh penulis dalam mengembangkan
topik.
3. Perhatikan kesimpulan dari paragraf tersebut dimana penulis akan mengungkapkan main
ideanya.
4. Gagasan utama (main idea) terletak di awal, akhir, atau di tengah paragraf.
5. Gagasan utama (main idea) pasti berupa KALIMAT LENGKAP (ada subject dan predikat).
Contoh pertanyaan Main Idea (gagasan utama):
1. What is the main idea of this passage? (apa gagasan utama paragraf ini?)
2. What is the text talking about? (teks ini membicarakan tentang apa?)
3. The main idea of this passage is (Gagasan utama teks ini adalah?)
4. what is the authors main idea of paragraf 4? (Apa ide pokok paragraf 4 menurut pengarang?)

Secara garis besar, kalimat utama akan memiliki point-point berikut.

1. Mengandung permasalahan yang potensial untuk diuraikan;
2. Mempunyai arti yang jelas tanpa dihubungkan dengan kalimat lain
3. Umumnya berada di awal paragraf (untuk paragraf deduktif), dan di akhir
paragraf (paragraf induktif).
Nah, berikutnya menentukan kalimat utama pada paragraf Orientation.
Perhatikan paragraf berikut.
On Friday I went to Mount Bromo. It is one of the mountains Iwant
to see very much. It is near Probolinggo. That is why I stayed at
Nida and Hasan's house at Cemara Lawang, Probolinggo.
Ingat :
- main idea adalah ide pokok (gagasan utama) dalam suatu paragraf.
- main idea dapat diletakkan di depan, tengah atau akhir paragraf.

Jadi, main idea pada paragraf di atas terdapat di awal paragraf yaitu : "On
Friday I went to Mount Bromo".
Latihan dan pembahasan.
The Navajo Indians
A Report By: Rachel
The Navajo Indians were a very interesting tribe to learn and study about.
The things that interested me the most were their simple lifestyle. They had
no electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing. Life couldn't get much
simpler than this!
Navajo Indians lived in houses called hogans. These houses were made of
mud, wooden poles, and tree bark. Many Navajo today still live in hogans.
The Pueblo Indians taught the Navajo many skills. They taught them to
plant crops, such as melon, corn, beans, and squash. This is why the Navajo
were referred to as farmers, sheep herders, and laborers. Other skills of the
Navajo are sand paintings, jewelry making, and rug weaving.
Navajo Indians wore shoes called moccasins to protect their feet from the
hot, desert ground and cactus. They were made from leather or rawhide.
Navajo Indians held ceremonies called Night Chants. They wore masks and
shook rattles while praying for rain and good crops. The ceremonies lasted
for nine days!
The Navajo were warlike. They would sometimes raid other Indians,
Mexicans, and white men. They would steal horses, sheep, and cows. In
1863, Kit Carson marched 400 men through Canyon de Chelly, the
stronghold of the Navajo. Carson and his men killed so much livestock and
destroyed so many crops, that the Navajo begged for peace. Carson
gathered the Navajo and moved them to Fort Sumner in New Mexico. They
were held prisoners there until 1867.
So as you can see, the Navajo Indians were a very interesting tribe to
learn and study about.
Question :
1. What is the main idea of this passage?
A. The Navajo Indians were warlike.
B. The Navajo Indians were a very interesting tribe to learn and
study about . (benar)

C. The Navajos had ceremonies called Night Chants.

D. The Pueblo taught the Navajo many skills.
Pembahasan :
(Main idea selalu terletak pada kalimat pertama atau terakhir dari suatu
paragraf, atau tersebar, tapi dalam hal ini yang sering dijumpai dalam soal,
kalimat utama kebanyakan terletak diawal dan akhir)
2. What is the main idea of the third paragraph?
A. The Pueblo Indians taught the Navajo many skills.
B. The Navajo wore shoes called moccasins.
C. The Navajo were skilled at rug weaving.
D. The Navajo were referred to as sheep herders.
Pembahasan :
(Dalam soal diminta menentukan main idea untuk paragraf ke tiga, jadi kita
hanya fokus pada kalimat pertama dan terakhir pada paragraf ketiga saja)
3. What is the main idea of the sixth paragraph?
A. The Navajo were held prisoners for many years.
B. Kit Carson was a brave and daring man.
C. The Navajo were a warlike people.
D. The 400 men all died.
Pembahasan :
(Dalam paragraf ke enam pun demikian, kalimat utamanya terletak pada
kalimat pertama)

Contoh Topic Sentence Dan Supporting Details Pada Paragraf

Sarah Sechan, A girl with tons of experiences
Sarah Meirizka herdiany sechan has had a lot of experiences born in 1974, Sarah spent her
childhood in many cities arround the world-including pennyslvania. U.S.A., and London, U.K.
Her family then settled in New York , where Sarah Completed high school. she has worked as a
radio announcer, a video jockey on MTV and a managing editor for cosmo girl.
Penjelasan :
Topic : Sarah Sechan
Topic Sentence : Sarah Meirizka Herdiany Sechan has had a lot of experiences
Supporting Details :
Spend her childhood in many cities around the world
Completed high school in new york
radio announcer
MTV VJ

 Managing editor for Cosmo Girl.

Contoh Soal TOPIC SENTENCE

Read the text. write the topic sentences and details in the table.
A HOST WHO WORKS WITH ALL HER HEART
Oprah winfrey came from a simple family. after she was born , her mother found a job as a maid.
when she was small, she already displayed her talents. she could read, speak and memorize a lot
of things. she was just three years old at that time.
At a young age. winfreys parents separated and she had to live with her grandparents until she
was six , then she was to live with her mother. because she was badly treated by her older cousin
and others, she ran a way from home. later, she was sent to live with her father. she really had un
unpleasant childhood.
Oprah has always been interested in hosting shows. she began her career as a radio broadcaster
while in high school. then she became a reporter and co-host for a local TV Station.
Oprah has been popular since she hosted a local TV talk show in 1986, which was named after
her. she is able to create a special bond with her audience by sharing her own life stories,
including her unpleasant childhood experience oprah has emotional involvement in the show and
she has shown personal concern for each person she interviews. the popularity of the oprah
Winfrey show originates from her emotions and care as a host.

Paragr
aph
1
2
3
4
5

CONTOH SOAL

Topic Sentences

Details

Read the following text and answer number 1-3!

Once upon a time, a rabbit wanted to cross a river but he could not swim. He had an idea. He saw
a boss of crocodile swimming in the river. The rabbit asked the boss of crocodile, "How many
crocodiles are there in the river?" The boss of crocodile answered, "We are twenty here." "Where
are they?" the rabbit asked for the second time. "What is it for?" the boss of crocodile asked.
"All of you are good, nice, gentle and kind, so I want to make a line in order. Later I will know
how kind you are," said the rabbit. Then, the boss of the crocodile called all his friends and asked
them to make a line in order from one side to the other side of the river. Just then, the rabbit
started to count while jumping from one crocodile to another: one ... two ... three ... four ... until
twenty, and finally, he thanked all crocodiles because he had crossed the river.
1. The story mainly tells us about ...
A. twenty crocodiles
B. the boss of the crocodile
C. a rabbit and twenty crocodiles
D. a rabbit and the boss of crocodile
E. the boss of the crocodile and ail his friends
2. We know from the first paragraph that the rabbit actually wanted ...
A. to cross the river
B. to swim across the river
C. to meet the boss of crocodile
D. to know where the crocodiles are
E. to know the number of crocodiles there
3. All of you are good, nice, gentle, and kind ..." (Paragraph 2)
The underlined word is synonymous with ...
A. wild
B. diligent
C. cheerful
D. easygoing
E. honorable
This text is for questions 4 to 7.
An elephant is the largest and strongest of all animals. It is a strange looking animal with its
thick legs, huge sides and backs, large hanging ears, a small tail, little eyes, long white tusks and
above all it has a long nose, the trunk.
The trunk is the elephant's peculiar feature, and it has various uses. The elephant draws up
water by its trunk and can squirt it all over its body like a shower bath. It can also lift leaves and
puts them, into its mouth. In fact the trunk serves the elephant as a long arm and hand. An
elephant looks very-clumsy and heavy and yet it can move very quickly.
The elephant is a very intelligent animal. Its intelligence combined with its great strength
makes it a very useful servant to man and it can be trained to serve in various ways such as carry
heavy loads, hunt for tigers and even fight.
4. The third paragraph is mainly about the fact that ...
A. elephants are strong
B. elephants can lift logs
C. elephants are servants

D. elephants are very useful

E. elephants must be trained
5. Which of the following is NOT part of the elephant described in the first paragraph?
A. It looks strange.
B. It is heavy.
C. It is wild.
D. It has a trunk.
E. It has a small tail.
6. It is stated in the text that the elephant uses the trunk to do the following, EXCEPT ...
A. to eat
B. to push
C. to drink
D. to carry things
E. to squirt water over the body
7. "The trunk is the elephant's peculiar feature ..." (Paragraph 2)
The underlined word is close in meaning to ...
A. large
B. strange
C. tough
D. smooth
E. long
Text for question 8 to10.
Dear, Rosa
I am a guy, twenty-eight years old. I have a problem with a girl friend. She is twenty five
years old. We have been dating each other for years, since we were high school students. Now
we have jobs. I feel very sure that we love each other. Now it is time for me to get married.
Unfortunately, her parents never approve of our relationship ever since the very first time.
My family, anyhow, does not really mind. At first I thought my girl friend had the power to
defend our love. But then she surrendered. She loves, me and she loves her family, too. On the
one hand she said, "I'll be happy if my family is happy." It means she had to get approval from
her parents.
For this I was shocked. My heart was broken. She ended our relationship just at the time
when I was ready to marry her. When I was with her, we were very happy. We had a lot in
common and there were no conflicts. The truth was, we separated only because of her parents.
They want her to marry her cousin, her aunt's son (this is one of the traditions in the Karonese).
For the time being I am very upset. When I miss her I call her. Then we can eat together, talk
together for hours. We act like elating because she loves me, too. The real problem is, she cannot
refuse what her parents want. So, should I forget my girlfriend, the only one that I truly love? Or
else, should I just wait, and dream that one day she will be back to me?
Rio N., Padang
-------------------Dear Rio,

You call her your girlfriend, but she has chosen her own way. For this reason Id, say that there
is nothingyou can do except forget her and go on with your normal life. Hopefully you can find
another and livehappily forever.
Rossa
8. The main idea of the first paragraph is that ...
A. the writer wants to get married
B. the writer has been dating for years
C. the writer has a problem with his girl friend
D. the writer feels sure that they love each other
E. the writer's parents disapprove of his relationship
9. Which of the following sentences is TRUE according to the text?
A. Rio is not ready to get married.
B. Rio's parents disagree to his marriage.
C. Rio and his girl friend often got conflicts.
D. Rio's girl friend didn't really love Rio.
E. Rio's girl friend couldn't defend her love for Rio.
10. Why do the girl's parents disapprove of their marriage? Because ...
A. they don't like Rio.
B. the girl is still studying.
C. Rio is from a different ethnic group.
D. they keep the Karonese tradition.
E. the girl has chosen another guy.
Text for question number 11-13.
Two students were discussing the school's new rule that all the students must wear a cap and a tie
One of them showed her annoyance. She said that wearing a cap and a tie was only suitable for a
flag rising ceremony. So, she was against the rule. Contrary to the girl's opinion, the other student
was glad with it. He said that he didn't mind with the new rule because wearing a cap and a tie
will make the students look great and like real educated persons. The first student gave the
reasons that they would feel uncomfortable and hot. Moreover, the classrooms were not air
conditioned. The second said it wasn't a big problem. He was sure that the students would wear
them proudly. They would surely be used to it any way.
11. The two students are discussing ...
A. the facilities in school
B. their homework
C. their uniform
D. their friends
E. their family
12. The boy said that he agreed with the new rule in his school.
Which statement shows his agreement?
A. He was not annoyed.
B. He would not obey the rule.
C. He didn't care of the rule.
D. He didn't like wearing a cap and tie.
E. He didn't mind wearing a cap and tie.

13. The boy believed that all students would ...

A. have a high spirit to study
B. solve their own problems
C. care for their environment
D. follow the new rule
E. feel uncomfortable
Kunci Jawaban dan Pembahasan:
1.
2.
3.
4.

C. Pembahasan: Judul untuk jenis text Narrative itu 90% diambil dari tokoh ceritanya.
A. Pembahasan: actually (sebenarnya) rabbit ingin...
E. Pembahasan: yang paling tepat adalah honorable.
D. Pembahasan: kalimat pertama tidak ada dalam jawaban, maka kalimat berikutnya
yaitu very useful servant.
5. C. Pembahasan: Di Paragraf pertama tidak ada kata wild (liar) atau sinonimnya.
6. B. Pembahasan: Tanpa melihat teks pun kita bisa menebak, bahwa belalai gajah
digunakan untuk beberapa keperluan kecuali push (mendorong), karena ia mendorong
biasanya dengan kepalanya atau badannya.
7. B. Pembahasan: peculiar artinya aneh (strange)
8. C. Pembahasan: poin A, B, D, menggambarkan bagaimana setting peristiwa yang pada
intinya penulis mendapat masalah dengan pacarnya.
9. E. Pembahasan: pada akhir paragraf kesatu, pacar Rio menyatakan bahwa pada intinya ia
tidak tidak bisa melanjutkan hubungannya dengan Rio.
10. D. Pembahasan: pihak keluarga perempuan ingin menjaga tradisi Karonese (lihat pada
kalimat yang ditanda kurung di dalam teks di atas)
11. C. Pembahasan: Pada kalimat pertama, mereka membahas tentang peraturan sekolah
yang mengharuskan memakai cap and tie. Topi dan dasi adalah bagian dari Uniform
(seragam).
12. E. Pembahasan: Jika boy setuju dengan peraturan, maka He didn't mind wearing a cap and
tie.
13. D. Pembahasan: Masih ada kaitannya dengan soal 17 (boy yang setuju dengan peraturan),
maka ia yakin bahwa students would follow the new rule.