PSAT Critical Reading

Master the skills to understand, analyze, and interpret reading passages on the PSAT.

Understanding Passage StructureFinding Main Ideas and Supporting DetailsMaking Inferences
Analyzing Author’s Purpose and ToneInterpreting Vocabulary in ContextEvaluating Evidence and Arguments
Reading for Real-World UnderstandingApplying Critical Reading to Group ProjectsUnderstanding Media and Advertising
Active Reading TechniquesEliminating Wrong AnswersTime Management on the PSAT
Understanding Passag...Finding Main Ideas a...Making InferencesAnalyzing Author’s P...Interpreting Vocabul...Evaluating Evidence ...Reading for Real-Wor...Applying Critical Re...Understanding Media ...Active Reading Techn...Eliminating Wrong An...Time Management on t...
Basic Concepts

Finding Main Ideas and Supporting Details

Main Ideas vs. Details

The main idea is the central point the author wants you to remember. Supporting details are the facts, examples, or explanations that back it up.

How to Identify Them

  • Main Idea: Often found in the first or last sentence of a paragraph or passage.
  • Supporting Details: Look for specific evidence, statistics, or anecdotes.

Why This Matters on the PSAT

Many questions will ask what the passage is "mainly about" or which detail supports a claim. Knowing the difference helps you avoid trap answers!

Reading Strategy

After each paragraph, pause and ask yourself: "What is the author really trying to say here? What information backs it up?"

Examples

  • In a passage about climate change, the main idea might be that human activity is causing global warming, while supporting details include rising CO2 levels and melting ice caps.

  • A story about a student juggling sports and school uses examples of her daily routine as supporting details for the main idea of time management.

In a Nutshell

Distinguish between the author's main point and the evidence supporting it.

Key Terms

Main Idea
The central message or point of a passage.
Supporting Details
Facts or examples that provide evidence for the main idea.
Next
Making Inferences