Main Idea and Details Writers may organize their writing in a logical order. One common way to organize nonfiction is to use main idea and details. In this type of organization, the main idea is given and the writer includes details that explain, show, or support the main idea. Think of it this way:
| Main Idea: The United States government has three main branches. |
| Detail 1: One of the branches is the legislative branch. |
| Detail 2: Another branch is the executive branch. |
| Detail 3: The third branch is the judicial branch. |
Do you see how each of the details explains and gives more information about the main idea? These four sentences are organized in a logical order.
Practice Together
Use a Main-Idea Diagram Copy this diagram. Look back at the selection. Find details that support this main idea and fill in the chart with your class.
| Main Idea: The judicial branch interprets the law. |
| Detail 1: |
| Detail 2: |
| Detail 3: |
Try It!
Analyze Logical Order With a partner, choose a paragraph from “The Constitution.” Find the main idea and supporting details. Create a Main-Idea Diagram to show the logical order of the paragraph.