What is the main idea?

[abadri421]

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I have been trying to follow EK's verbal strategy but it seems that sometimes I cant get the main idea of the passage. I have also been doing the 101 verbal book and have been in the 7-8 range.

Sometimes when i read a passage it seems that the main idea of one paragraph will conflict with the main idea of another paragraph. Anyone have suggestions on an "easier" way to get the main idea of a passage??? 😕

 

[ChymeChancellor]

I have been trying to follow EK's verbal strategy but it seems that sometimes I cant get the main idea of the passage. I have also been doing the 101 verbal book and have been in the 7-8 range.

Sometimes when i read a passage it seems that the main idea of one paragraph will conflict with the main idea of another paragraph. Anyone have suggestions on an "easier" way to get the main idea of a passage??? 😕

Personally, the EK method didn't work for me, you might want to look at the Kaplan method or others that are out there.

Instead of thinking about the "main idea" of the passage, try to think about why the passage was written, what was it trying to prove, disprove, critique? Asking these questions will help you get an overall feel for the passage.

Also, remember that the MCAT verbal passages aren't meant to be easy, if paragraphs contradict one another they might truly contradict one another. Don't assume you're making the mistake in your analysis. The passages are meant to throw you off, so as long as you understand the purpose of each paragraph and the overall purpose, it should help you in answering the questions.

 

[alex_shimp]

Instead of thinking about the "main idea" of the passage, try to think about why the passage was written, what was it trying to prove, disprove, critique? Asking these questions will help you get an overall feel for the passage.

Why the passage was written.... isn't that the main idea?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Why the passage was written.... isn't that the main idea?

I read with the question, "What's the point of this passage" in my mind. Not only does it get you to try to look for the main idea, but it kind of puts you in the "Arrogant" mindset that EK recommends.

Unfortunately, even using this method, I have never scored higher than a 12 (mostly 10s and 11s) so I'm not sure how well it works. I think, though, my difficulty isn't finding the main idea, but answering the more detail-oriented questions in the alotted time (i.e. not going back to the passage for every one)

J

 

[alex_shimp]

I read with the question, "What's the point of this passage" in my mind. Not only does it get you to try to look for the main idea, but it kind of puts you in the "Arrogant" mindset that EK recommends.

Unfortunately, even using this method, I have never scored higher than a 12 (mostly 10s and 11s) so I'm not sure how well it works. I think, though, my difficulty isn't finding the main idea, but answering the more detail-oriented questions in the alotted time (i.e. not going back to the passage for every one)

J

I think thats the same problem I have... I have been scorign 10s on all EK 101 so far, I think I got 1 9 in there, and I got a 47/60 ones which is close to an 11.... But yeh I almost never miss the main idea passages but always seem to miss the detail questions or the ones where you have 3 choices.... oh well keep on practicing haha

 

[abadri421]

I read with the question, "What's the point of this passage" in my mind. Not only does it get you to try to look for the main idea, but it kind of puts you in the "Arrogant" mindset that EK recommends.


J

What does it mean to read arrogantly and how do u do that. Do you read one paragraph get the main idea and then move on to the next or do u read the whole passage and then think of the main idea??
What do u think of when your are reading the passage, not the details right??Help!!