ACT Compass Reading

ACT Compass Reading focuses on enhancing reading comprehension skills essential for academic success.

Understanding Main Ideas and ThemesIdentifying Supporting DetailsMaking Inferences
Understanding Author’s Purpose and ToneAnalyzing Text StructureEvaluating Arguments and Evidence
Interpreting Everyday TextsComprehending Informational TextsApplying Critical Reading to Digital Media
Time Management for the Reading SectionUsing Process of EliminationActive Reading Techniques
Understanding Main I...Identifying Supporti...Making InferencesUnderstanding Author...Analyzing Text Struc...Evaluating Arguments...Interpreting Everyda...Comprehending Inform...Applying Critical Re...Time Management for ...Using Process of Eli...Active Reading Techn...
Basic Concepts

Understanding Main Ideas and Themes

Grasping the Heart of the Passage

Every reading passage has a core message or main idea. Identifying this is like finding the heart of a story. The main idea tells you what the author wants you to know most.

How to Spot the Main Idea

  1. Look at the first and last sentences — authors often hide clues there.
  2. Ask, “What is this mostly about?” — try to say it in your own words.
  3. Watch for repeated words or phrases — repetition often signals importance.

Themes: The Bigger Picture

Themes go beyond the main idea. They’re the big messages or lessons about life, society, or human nature. Think of the theme as what the story says about the world.

Why This Matters

Knowing the main idea and theme helps you answer questions quickly and understand texts deeply.

Examples

  • A passage about teamwork repeatedly mentions cooperation and achieving goals together; the main idea is the value of working as a team.

  • A story about a character learning from mistakes might have a theme of personal growth.

In a Nutshell

Learning to find the main idea and theme is the first step in mastering reading comprehension.

Key Terms

Main Idea
The central point or most important thought in a passage.
Theme
The underlying message or lesson of a text.
Next
Identifying Supporting Details