HOW TO EXTRACT THE MAIN IDEAS FROM AN ENGLISH TEXT?
I. UNDERSTAND A TEXT - Read the entire text once to grasp the general meaning. Reread it to make sure you understand it and grasp the gist of it, even the smallest details. - Identify the type of text : argumentative , explanatory , narrative , report . What is the author's objective? Is she or he trying to inform, persuade, or entertain? - Identify the purpose of the text to focus your attention on the main points. - Start by examining the title, subheadings, introduction and conclusion. These elements often provide key indicators of the main ideas in the text. - Ask yourself: what is the text about? What is the main argument or theme? What are the supporting points? What evidence or examples are essential (but not excessive)? - Write the main thesis in one sentence . Present three to five arguments directly related to the thesis. - Ignore details such as anecdotes, minor examples, and long quotes unless they are essential. - H...