Reading for The Gist

(pertemuan keenam)

Reading for The Gist mencakup Topic and Supporting Nouns, Topic and
Supporting Sentences, dan Reading to Get the General Ideas.

A. Topic and Supporting Nouns

Setelah mempelajari kegiatan belajar materi ini mahasiswa diharapkan dapat
menentukan topic nouns dan menentukan supporting nouns.

1. Topic Nouns
Topic adalah sesuatu yang dijadikan bahan pembicaraan dalam kehidupan
sehari-hari bisa tentang seseorang, sesuatu, pandangan, pendapat, atau apa saja.
Dalam bahasa tulisan atau dalam suatu wacana kita juga menjumpai topik. Tidak
ada perbedaan antara topik yang biasa kita gunakan untuk suatu diskusi tau bahan
pembicaraan sehari-hari dengan topik yang menjadi bahasa dalam suatu
[Link] dalam suatu wacana juga merupakan pokok bahasan atau subjek
yang dijelaskan dalam wacana tersebut. Agar anda mendapatkan gambaran yang
jelas apa yang disebut topic, anda akan diberikan beberapa cuplikan pendapat dari
para pakar.
Mc. Whorter (1992) menjelaskan bahwa p[aragraf disusun berdasarkan tiga
elemen, yaitu : topic, main idea, dan supporting details. Lebih lanjut lagi Mc.
Whorter menjelaskan tentang paragraph kaitannya dengan topic. Menurut Mc.
Whorter paragraph adalah :

a group of related ideas. The sentences relate to one another in the sense
that each is about a common person, place, think, or idea. This common
subject or idea is called the topic. Simply defined, the topic is what the
entire paragraph is about. (1992: 168).

Flemming menjelaskan tentang topic : “Sometimes the topic of a paragraph can

be expressed in a single word, but much of the time you will need two or more
words to express the topic precisely. “(1987 : 114). Dengan istilah yang berbeda
Tyner menjelaskan tentang topic. Tyner mengatakan bahwa :

A paragraph is a group of sentences that develops one main point or idea . One
important feature of an effective paragraph is unity : all sentences within the
paragraph are related to the main point. (1987 :2).

Jadi topic dalam suatu wacana merupakan subjek dari keseluruhan wacana
tersebut. Topik adalah sesuatu atau seseorang yang dijelaskan dalam wacana
tersebut. Jadi topic nouns adalah sesuatu atau seseorang yang diungkapkan dalam
kata benda. Kata benda tersebut bias hanya terdiri dari satu suku kata, tetapi bias
juga terdiri lebih dari satu suku kata. Misalnya :

Colour
Magazines
Plants
Wild animals
Traditional water transportation
Distribution of workers
 Untuk mencari topic dalam suatu paragraph, coba anda tanyakan pada diri
anda sendiri pertanyaan seperti :

1. What is the one thing the author is discussing throughout the paragraph?
2. What is discussed in the paragraph?
3. Who is discussed in the paragraph?

Pelajari paragraph berikut ini dan identifikasi topic yang dijelaskan dalam pragraf
tersebut.

Contoh 1
Some plants require more light than others due to coloration of their foliage.
Plants with shades of white, yellow, or pink in their leaves need more light than
plants with completely green foliage. For example, Swedish ivy plant with
completely green leaves requires less light than a varietegated Swedish Ivy that
contains shades of white, yellow, and green in its leaves. (. (Mc Whorter, 1992 :139).

Apakah topic dari paragraph ini? Setiap kalimat yang terdapat dalam paragraph ini
membicarakan tentang plants. Jadi topic yang dibicarakan dalam paragraph ini
adalah plants.

Contoh 2
As societies become industrialized, the distribution of workers among various
economic activities tends to change in agriculture and the collection of raw
materials for food and shelter. But as technology develops , agricultural workers
are drawn into manufacturing and contraction. (Mc Whorter, 1992 :140).

Topic : distribution of worker

Contoh 3
Magazine Magazines are a channel of communication halfway between
newspaper and books. Unlike newspaper or books, however, many of the most
influential magazines are difficult or impossible to purchase at newsstands. With
their colour printing and slick paper (in most cases), magazine have become a
showplace for exciting graphics. Until the 1940s most consumer (general)
magazines offered a diverse menu of both fiction and non fiction articles and
miscellany such as poetry and short humor selections. With television providing
heavy quotient of entertainment for the American home, many magazines
discovered a strong demand for non fiction article, their almost exclusive content
today. . (Mc Whorter, 1992 :140).

Pada contoh paragraph yang ketiga ini, penulis menjelaskan tentang satu topic,
yaitu magazines. Anda perlu memperhatikan beberapa kali kata magazines
diulang-ulang.

Contoh 4
Protective coloration is natural colouring which protects plants and animals from
their enemies. A plant or animal may be the same colour as its is surrounding so it
is enemies cannot find it easily. For examples, some snakes that live in the green
grass are coloured green. The fur of some small animals in northern countries
turns white in winter to blend with the snow. Their fur turns brown in the summer
so they can hide in the wood. (sanka, 1981 : 44)
Topik : Protective colouration

Exercise
Identify the topic of each paragraph.
Paragraph 1
I am sick of eating hamburgers. I have been eating hamburger s twice a day all
semester. They are starting to taste like dog food. I am getting fat from eating
greasy hamburgers. I get stomach-ache just thinking about eating another
hamburger.

Paragraph 2
Greenville is a pleasant place to live. There are three movie theatres in town. The
people are friendly. There is very little crime. There are many places to shop for
clothes

Paragraph 3
The quarrel between Suzanne and Maria is stupid. They don’t remember what
started it. They have always been best friends. They see each other everyday.
They have been next door neighbours for ten years.

Paragraph 4
Harold is a good basket ball player. He can dribble with either hand. He can
shoot well from anywhere on the court. He is an excellent passer. He is a good
team player.

Paragraph 5
It’s hard to find a good baby sitter. Many high school girls go out on weekends.
A lot Baby sitting is not as popular of girls won’t work for baby sitting wages.

2. Supporting Noun
Supporting Noun atau supporting details adalah kata benda yang mendukung
topic. Supporting noun, berupa penjelasan, ilustrasi atau contoh dari topic
tersebut. Kata benda ini bisa berupa frasa, tetapi kadang-kadang juga berupa
kalimat. Agar anda mendapatkan gambaran tentang apa yang disebut
supporting nouns atau supporting details. Agar anda mendapatkan gambaran
tentang apa yang disebut supporting noun, anda pelajari paragraph berikut ini.
Apakah supporting nouns dalam paragraph tersebut.

Contoh 1
Some plants require more light than others due to coloration of their foliage.
Plants with shades of white, yellow or pink in their leaves need more light
than plants with completely green foliage. For example, a Swedish Ivy that
contain shades of white, yellow, and green in its leaves.
Topic Noun dari paragraph ini terdapat pada kalimat yang pertama, yaitu
plants.
Kalimat-kalimat yang lainnya dalam paragraph tersebut merupakan kalimat
pendukung yang mendukung topic sehingga paragraph ini mempunyai
kesatuan yang utuh. Kalimat pendukung juga mempunyai topic berupa kata
atau frasa kata benda atau kalimat.
Pada kalimat kedua kita dapat menentukan bahwa topic dari kalimat tersebut
adalah plants with shade colours need more light than plant in green leaves.
Sedangkan kalimat ketiga memberikan contoh dari pernyataan yang terdapat
pada kalimat kedua. Contoh tersebut adalah A Swedish ivy plant requires less
light than a variegated Swedish ivy.

Contoh 2

We had a terrible storm last night. The winds blew up to fifty miles an hours,
and it rained very hard. Eucalyptus trees by the river blew over , and one tree
hit a power line and blacked out the area for five hours. Downtown, the main
street was flooded, and cars were left stranded in bumper deep water. Before
morning, the river flooded its banks, and people living nearby were forced to
flee their homes with whatever belongings they could gather. It was the worst
storm in the country since 1958. (Tyner, 1987)

Topik dari paragraph ini adalah “a terrible storm.” Kalimat-kalimat yang

lainnya berhubungan dengan topic (a terrible storm) dari paragraph tersebut
menunjukkan betapa buruk anginnya, seperti : They blew up to fifty miles an
hour (kalimat kedua). The trees blew up that caused a blackout (kalimat
ketiga). The main street was flooded (kalimat keempat).The river was flooded
and forced people from their homes (kalimat kelima).

Exercise 2
Idetify the topic of each paragraph, and then list the reporting noun.
Paragraf 1.

In the afternoon, I love to take a nap. I always feel sleepy after lunch, so I lie
down on the sofa for a snooze. The sofa is so soft and comfortable that I’m a
sleep in no time. I forget all of my problems for a while, like schoolwork and
bills. When I wake up an hour later, I feel rested and ready to go again. I look
forward to taking an afternoon nap almost every day. (Tyner, 1987 :8)

Paragraf 2
Math II is an easy class. I have gotten nothing but S’s and B’s on the quizzes
without studying. Sixty students were enrolled in the class, and not one person
has dropped since it is so easy. The instructor gives to practice tests before
the actual test, so every one knows exactly what to expect by test time. If
students are having any troubles with the class, she allows plenty of time for
individual conferences. It is the easiest class I have taken in college. (Tyner,
1987: 5)

Paragraf 3
I hate to go to the dentist. The sterile smell of the office is sickening. When I
get in the dentist’s chairs, I dread that long needle he stabs into my gums and
 twists around. I hate grinding sound of the drill and the terrible pain when he
hits a nerve. I also get nauseated from all of the blood, spit, particles, and
water swimming around in the mouth. When it is all over, I’m left with a
numb, puffy mouth.

Paragraf 4
Living at home is very easy. I get three meals a day and I do not have to pay
for them. My mom also does all of my (free) laundry. She (my mom) washes,
dries, and irons all of my clothes. It is also nice not having to pay any (no)
rent. I can get my studying done easily because there is little noise. There is
also lots of room in the house since I am the only one left beside my parents.
Fortunately, I get along pretty well with my mom and dad. They are very nice
and easygoing.

Paragraf 5
It’s hard to find a good baby sitter. Many high school girls go out on
weekends. A lot of girls won’t work for baby-sitting wages. Baby-sittings is
not as popular with girls as it once was. Some girls who baby-sitting aren’t
very responsible.

B. Topic and Supporting Sentences

Setelah mempelajari kegiatan belajar ini anda diharapkan dapat :

1. menentukan topic sentence dan
2. menentukan supporting sentence

1. Topic Sentence

Pada mata kuliah sebelumnya kita telah membahas tentang topic noun dan
supporting noun. Selanjutkan kita akan membahas tentang Topic Sentence dan
Supporting Sentence. Tyner (1987) menjelaskan bahwa ada beberapa hal penting
yang perlu kita ketahui mengenai topic sentence, diantaranya adalah :

a. A topic sentence expresses the main idea of a paragraph;

b. A topic sentence usually states a definite opinion or attitude;
c. A topic sentence provide the reader with a clear understanding of what a
paragraph is about;
d. A topic sentence gives direction to a paragraph or is found near the
beginning of a paragraph;
e. A topic sentence often begins a paragraph or s found near the beginning of
a paragraph;
f. Other sentences within paragraph relate to the topic sentence;
g. The final “wrap-up” sentence in a paragraph often reinforces the topic
sentence (p.52).

Berhubungan dengan topic sentence, Colin menjelaskan bahwa :

The main idea of a paragraph is called topic. The topic is usually stated in a
sentence, called a topic sentence, usually a general rather than a specific a
specific idea, maybe placed anywhere within the paragraph. (1992:2).
 Mc. Whorter (1992) meninjau dari sudut pandang pembaca yang kadang-
kadang membutuhkan bantuan dalam memahami pesan yang terdapat dalam
[Link] kemudian menjelaskan:

Readers, likes listeners, sometime need assistance in focusing and organizing

theit thought and in anticipating the development of the massage. Writers,
therefore, often provide general, organizing statement to state the main idea of
the paragraph. The sentence that most clearly states this main idea is called the
topic sentence. (p.171).

Flemming menjelaskan definisi dan pentingnya topic sentence dalam suatu

paragraph :

A topic sentence is a general sentence that sums up the main idea or message of
paragraph. If a paragraph contains topic sentence, most or all of the sentences in
the paragraph will develop this sentence by providing additional and more
specific explanation and illustration. (1987: 130).

Sesuai dengan penjelasan Tyner (1987), Colin (1990), McWhorter (1992) dan
Flemming (1987) kita mengetahui bahwa yang disebut dengan topic sentence atau
kalimat utama adalah ide pokok atau topic yang diungkapkan dalam bentuk
kalimat. Topic sentence adalah main idea atau ide pokok dalam suatu paragraf.
Topic sentence merupakan pernyataan yang masih bersifat umum, dan
merupakan komponen yang penting dalam suatu paragraph karena semua kalimat
dalam paragraph akan mendukung topic sentence.
Berikut ini adalah contoh-contoh paragraph dengan topic sentence yang
digarisbawahi.

Contoh 1.
Easter week is going to be terrific. First, I have the whole week off from the
stationary store because it is going to be closed. My friends are all staying in
town, so there will be plenty to do. We ‘ll go to the arcades during the day and
rent movies or go downtown in the evenings. I’ve also saved enough money to
visit my cousin in Buffalo for a couple days, and we always have a good time
together. This could be the best Easter week I’ve had in a long time. (Tyner, 1987: 53)

Contoh 2
The weather in March was unpredictable. One day there was heavy ground fog,
and the next day was clear. It rained for a few days and cleared up, and then it
rained again. One day the temperature range fro 45 degrees to 75 degrees, and the
next day the temperature stayed around 55 degrees all day long. It is difficult to
plan activities or know what to wear with such unpredictable weather. (Tyner, 1987:
53)

Contoh 3
Students who graduate from college and go to work for the first time are in for the
surprise of their lives. Gone are those wonderful ten-to ten classes, and many ex-
students have to adjust to a nine-t-five schedule. In college everyone talks about
getting an interesting job, but many students end up doing work they don’t like.
Many student find it difficult to wear respectable suits and dresses every day of
the week after being used to blue jeans and T-shirts.

Exercise 1
Underline the topic sentence in each paragraph: the sentence that expresses the
paragraph’s main idea. The topic sentence will not always be in the first sentence
in the paragraph.

Example :
Your sweaters are quite colourful. I like the bright red one you wear to football
game s. I also like the purple turtleneck sweater you wear every Friday. My
favourite is the red, white, and blue striped one you wear on holidays. But the
wildest one has to be the fluorescent orange pullover with the pink and black
polka dots. I couldn’t believe that you wore it to church last Sunday.

The topic sentence is expressed in the first sentence of the paragraph. Now do it as
the example.

Paragraph 1

Freddie is very shy. At parties he sits in the corner by himself all night. When
he is in crowd, you would never notice him, When you talk to him, he look at
the ground and stammers out one word replies. He never speaks in class, and
I’ve never seen him talk to a girl. He is a nice person, but few people ever get
to know him.

Paragraf 2
I don’t like Algebra this semester, and I’m not too fond of history. But I’m
enjoying my racquetball class a lot. I’m getting a lot of exercise, and I’m also
enjoying the game. We usually play partners and complete in small
tournaments within the class. The competition is fun, and playing partners
keeps it relaxed. I may sign up for intermediate racquetball next semester.

Paragraf 3
The sky is clear blue. Sparrows chirp in the early mornings. The fruit trees in
the backyard are beginning to bloom. The hills are turning green and purple ,
and yellow wildflowers are appearing in the fields. The snow on top of Camel
Mountain has melted. It must finally be spring.

Paragraf 4
Falling in love for the first time is an extraordinary experience. Suddently it’s
almost impossible to sleep at night. Hours are spent daydreaming about the
last conversation, date, or embrace. Quite often, the first love affair is
accompanied by a complete loss of appetite.

Paragraf 5
Some people like ketchup on their egg, and other people like hot sauce .
Suzette is the only person I know who likes marmalade jelly on her egg. She
scrambles three or four eggs and puts them on a large platter. Then she get out
a big jar of marmalade jelly. She digs in a big spoon and spreads a large gob
 of jelly all over her eggs. Then she gobbles them down in a matter of seconds.
She discovered the combination of eggs and marmalade one morning when
she accidentally dropped her toast smeared with marmalade on he eggs.

2. Supporting Sentences

Mc Whorter (1992) menjelaskan elemen-elemen yang penting dalam suatu

paragraph sebagai berikut :

The topic, the one thing the paragraph is about, is the unifying factor, and
every sentence and idea contained in paragraph relate to the topic. The main
idea, what the author wants to communicate about the topic, is the central or
most important thought in the paragraph. Every other sentence and idea in the
paragraph is related to the main idea. The sentence, that expresses this idea is
called the topic sentence. Detail are the proof, support, explanation, reasons or
examples that explain the paragraph’s main idea.
(p. 139)

Tyner (1987: 59) menjelaskan tentang paragraph yang efekif kaitannya dengan
supporting sentences atau supporting details. Tyner mengatakan : “an effective
paragraph has unity : All of the sentences should be related to your topic
sentences”.
Lebih lanjut Tyner memberikan contoh paragraph yang efektif. Berikut ini adalah
contoh paragraph yang efektif, semua kalimat dalam paragraph tersebut
mendukung kalimat utamanya.

I have a hard time taking notes in my history class. The instructor talks so fast
that I can’t keep up with her. She also has a soft voice, and I miss a lot of
things she says. She never writes anything on the board like my other
instructors do to outline their lectures. She also rambles and gets off the
subject a lot, so I end up writing down unimportant things. Finally, she talks
about everything in the same tones and never emphasizes the important points.
When I study my notes, I have trouble separating the important material from
the rest. I have decided to my taping the lectures since taking notes isn’t
working. (1987: 59)

Topic sentence dari paragraph ini adalah kalimat pertama yaitu I have a hard time
taking notes in my history class. Kalimat-kalimat yang lainnya merupakan
pendukung atau penjelas atau yang dalam bahasa inggris disebut supporting
sentences atau supporting details yang menjelaskan topic sentence atau kalimat
utamanya. Semua kalimat dalam paragraph ini sesuai dengan topic sentence atau
kalimat utama. Sekarang anda pelajari contoh-contoh paragraph yang lainnya.

Your sister is an attractive woman. Her large, dark eyes are beautiful. Her
complexion is flawless, and she has a lovely big smile. Her long, blach hair is
full dresses stylishly, and her assortment of peasant skirts and lose-fitting
blouse look great on her.(Tyner, 1987: 60)

Topic sentence dalam paragraph ini adalah : Your sister in an attractive woman.
Kelima kalimat yang lainnya merupakan kalimat pendukung. Tidak sulit bukan?
Sekarang anda coba untuk mengerjakan latihan-latihan berikut ini.

Exercise 2

Directions: The first sentences in each paragraph is the topic sentence. It is

followed supporting sentences that should explain it. Write down the one
sentences that does not fulfill this function.
Example:

The first year of marriage is bound to be a difficult one. Suddenly two people
discover that they are no longer responsible only to themselves; instead, they
have to consider the feelings and needs of another. No one should make the
mistake of rushing into marriage. In the first year of marriage, both partner have to
learn to accept the annoying little habits that each is bound to posses, it I in the
first year that marriage coupe must learn how to deal with their in laws.

The unrelated sentence : No one should make the mistake of rushing into
marriage. This sentence does not explain the first year of marriage.

Paragraph 1
There are many difficulties involved in driving a taxicab. There is always one
customer who feels that the fare is too high. Driving in heavy traffic is nerve
racking. No cab driver is ever completely free from the fear of robbery. More
and more women are beginning to drive cab.

Paragraph 2
The sidewalk in our neighbour hood are fifty. The melting snow has left a
muddy film on the concrete. Garbage is piled up because of the collectors
strike. Pack of dogs have left their waste every where. Old newspaper carpet
the sidewalks and neighbourhood drunks have left their bottles piled against
the buildings. You can’t walk anywhere with pout stepping on something. The
roads are clean and nobody step on them at night.

Paragraph 3
Mary Louise is not as naive she acts. She never goes anywhere. Actually,
she’s been dating boys since she was in the seventh grade. When she was in
the eight grade, she went to a high school dance with a junior . She love to
flirt in a quiet, . She is the shy way, and she knows how to blink those big,
dark eyes to attract attention. She is the kind of girl that can steal a boyfriend
before you realize what’s happened.

Paragraph 4

My brother is driving me crazy. First, he borrow my razor and doesn’t put it

back. Than he’ll sneak into the kitchen and eat the pancakes I’ve cooked for
my self. He help me with my home work, which I appreciated. Then he
borrow my car without asking and returns it with the gas tank empty. Finally,
 he borrows money from me and never pays it back. I’ll be glad when he move
out of the house.

Paragraph 5
Alex loves to jog. He is slender and has strong legs, so jogging is easy for him.
He also has good natural endurance, so he doesn’t run out of breath
easily and his lungs seldom ache. Since he has loose muscles, he seldom
cramps up. He stated jogging a year ago to get in shape, but now he runs
because he loves it. He has even run in a few marathons, and he enjoys the
competition. He hated running in the invitational last summer.

3. Major and Minor Supporting Sentences

Sudah dijelaskan sebelumnya bahwa supporting sentences adalah kalimat-
kalimat pendukung yang menjelaskan topic sentence atau kalimat utama.
Paragraf yang utuh yaitu paragraph yang memiliki kalimat-kalimat yang
sesuai dengan kalimat utama.
Ada 2 jenis supporting sentences yaitu major dan minor. Apakah anda
mengerti yang dimaksud dengan major supporting sentences dan minor
supporting sentences?

At the present time, there are a number of people who believe that the famous
Loch Ness monster Furthermore, their position has been strengthened by the
appearance of what seem to be actual photographs of the creature.

Topic sentence dari paragraph ini adalah : “there are a number of people who
believe that the famous Loch Ness monster really exists” Kalimt-kalimt
pendukungny memberukan alasan mengapa masyarakat percaya bahwa
monster tersebut ada. Kalimat pendukung pertama menyatakan bahwa : ‘They
maintain that the monster must exist because several witnesses claim to have
seen it emerge from the lake in which it is said to live”. Kalimat pendukung ke
dua menegakan bahwa : “their position has been strengthened by the
appearance of what seem to be actual photographs of the creature”.
Kedua alasan tersebut menjelaskan mengapa masyarakat begitu percaya dengan
adanya \Loch Ness monster. Kedua kalimat ini dapat menyebabkan topic
sentence menjadi lebih melakinkan pembaca.

Diagram 1
Topic sentence
There are number of people who
believe that the famous Loch Ness
Monster exists.

Major supporting sentence Major supporting sentence

Several witnesses claim to have Their position has been

seen it emerge from the lake in strengthened
which it is said to live by the appearance of what seem to
be actual photographs of the creature
Dari diagram ini, anda dapat melihat bahwa paragraf ini tidak memiliki minor
supporting sentence. Kedua kalimat pendukung dalam paragraph tersebut
merupkan kalimat pendukung utama (major supporting sentences). Sekarang
mari kitapelajari lebih lanjut dengan paragraph baru yang diperluas lagi dengan
penambahankalimat pendukung minor.

At the present time, there are number of people who belief that the famous Loch
Ness monster really exits. They maintain that the monster must exist because
several witnesses claim to have seen it emerge from the lake in which it is said to
live. Believers in the monster’s existence emphasize that eye witness reports are
strikingly similar in their description of the monster. Furthermore, their position
has been strengthened by the appearance of what seem to be actual photographs of
the creature. The photographs show a large creature that resembles an ancient sea
serpent. (Flemming, 1987: 167)

Kalimat-kalimat yang diberi garis bawah merupakan kalimat pendukung minor

(minor supporting sentences). Kalimat-kalimat ini merupakan penjelasan dari
kalimat-kalimat pendukung utama (major supporting sentences). Agar anda
memperoleh pemahaman yang lebih jelas dapat dilihat di diagram 2 berikut.

Diagram 2
Topic Sentences

There are number people who

believe that the famous Loch Ness
monster really exist

Major supporting sentence Major supporting sentence

Several witnesses claim to have Their position has been

seen it emerge from the lake in strengthened by the appearance of
which it is said to live what seem to be actual
photographs of the creature.

Minor supporting sentence Minor supporting sentence

The reports are very similar. It looks like an ancient sea serpent.
(Flemming, 1987 :168)