Graphic Organizer
Main Idea and Details Organizer
Help students identify the central message and supporting evidence with a flexible main-idea organizer.
Main Idea
How to Use in Class
- Ask students to pull textual evidence for each detail box.
- Use the organizer during note-taking to separate big ideas from examples.
- Have pairs compare detail boxes to check for strong evidence.
Main Idea FAQs
How many detail boxes should I use?
Start with four, then add or remove based on the complexity of the text.
Can this work for nonfiction and fiction?
Yes. Use it for central ideas in nonfiction or themes in fiction texts.
Does the organizer save automatically?
Yes. It autosaves in the browser and can be printed anytime.
Related organizers: Sequence Chart, Character Map, and Story Plot Diagram.