Teach the student about the importance of a main idea. The main idea is the heart of a piece of writing, and as a result, it's important for a student to recognize it. The main idea often appears at the beginning of a passage and spells out exactly what the piece is about.
Finding supporting details can help narrow down the main idea. A tutor can help the student spot transition words like "first," "second" and "finally" that signal supporting details. By identifying the details, a student can find a main idea through a process of elimination.
Find the conclusion. Every good piece of writing will re-emphasize the main idea in the concluding sentence or paragraph. The conclusion simply restates the main idea, so if the student missed it the first time, she can find it near the end of the passage.
Ask the student to take notes in the text. A tutor who encourages a student to take in-text or marginal notes does a student a great service. By encouraging a student to make notes as he reads, he is less likely to miss the main idea and supporting details, thus greatly increasing comprehension.
Encourage the student constantly. Learning to be an active, involved reader takes time and practice, and students often become frustrated. If a tutor can encourage a student with kind words and leadership, the student is more likely to grasp concepts quickly and with minimal frustration.