Topic:  The general subject that the passage is about, usually 1 or 2 words.

 

Main Idea:  A statement that tells what the passage is mainly about.

             (May or maynot be stated, might have to infer from information given)

 

Topic Sentence: A sentence that states the main idea.  (May not be given in a paragraph.  If it is it is usually in the beginning or very end.)

 

Supporting Details:  More narrow evidence, examples, ideas, details that support or elaborate the main idea.