---
title: "Summarising Non-Fiction Main Ideas"
description: "Determine two or more main ideas of an informational text and explain how they are supported by key details, then summarise the text without personal opinions"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/summarising-non-fiction-main-ideas-mt_XnRhhEqJLJ
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/summarising-non-fiction-main-ideas-mt_XnRhhEqJLJ.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Summarising Non-Fiction Main Ideas

Determine two or more main ideas of an informational text and explain how they are supported by key details, then summarise the text without personal opinions

Subject: English · Area: Reading Comprehension · Ages 10 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/summarising-non-fiction-main-ideas-mt_XnRhhEqJLJ

## Ready when they can

- Identify the main ideas in each section of an informational article
- List key details that support each main idea in a multi-paragraph text
- Write an objective summary capturing the main ideas without adding personal opinions

## Lesson: Summarizing Non-Fiction Texts

You already know how to find one main idea and take notes. Longer articles often cover more ground: each section can have its own main idea, backed by its own key details. To summarize a whole article, you need to find every main idea first.

**Example.** An article about community gardens has two sections. Section one says gardens give neighbors fresh vegetables and a place to meet. Section two says gardens teach kids how plants grow. Those are two separate main ideas, each with its own details.

*(drawing: Each section gives one main idea. Join the ideas and you have your summary.)*

**Tip.** When you write a summary, use only the author's facts. Leave out words like 'I think' or 'this is amazing.' A summary reports what the text says, not how you feel about it.

**Example.** Here is a summary that combines both main ideas: 'Community gardens give neighbors fresh food and a place to meet, and they teach kids how plants grow.' Every word comes from the text, with no opinions added.

A section's main idea is not always its first sentence. Sometimes the opening sentence just sets the scene, and the sentence that sums everything up comes later. Read the whole section and ask which sentence the other ones point back to.

**Recap.** Find each section's main idea and its details, then combine them into one summary with no opinions.

## Practice

18 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Main Ideas & Note-Taking](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/main-ideas-and-note-taking-mt_sMAcZW6vWM)
- [Fact vs opinion](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/fact-vs-opinion-mt_V6456X6pJE)

## Opens up

- [Research & Source Evaluation](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/research-and-source-evaluation-mt_Qcsl1Z1x0l)