Fill a Main Idea Organizer Online

Box by box: what goes where

State the central idea, collect the strongest supporting details, then write a one-sentence summary. Here is what each part of this organizer expects.

• Text / Topic

  What are you reading about?

• Main Idea

  What is the most important point the author wants the reader to understand?

• Supporting Detail 1

  Add a detail that directly supports the main idea.

• Supporting Detail 2

  Add another strong supporting detail.

• Supporting Detail 3

  Add a third detail only if it adds something important.

• One-Sentence Summary

  Combine the main idea and strongest details without copying the text.

Fill it in, then print or save

1. Type your answers into the boxes above.
2. Print the page, or save it as a PDF from your browser's print dialog.
3. Or download a PNG image of the finished organizer. No sign-up is required.

Prefer paper, or want to see an example?

The Main Idea and Details Graphic Organizer PDF page has the blank PDF in US Letter and A4, a completed example you can compare with your own page, and teaching notes for using it with students.