aðalatriða

Aðalatriða is a Icelandic noun meaning the main point or essential element of a discussion, argument, text, or presentation. It denotes the central or most important piece of information that a writer or speaker aims to highlight. The term is used in both singular to refer to one main point and plural to discuss several main points; inflection follows standard Icelandic noun patterns.

Etymology: The word is a compound of aðal (main, principal) and atriði (items, points). In modern Icelandic, the form aðalatriði is common, and its inflection follows the patterns of other neuter nouns ending in -i.

Usage: It is common in journalism, academic writing, and public discourse. The aðalatriði are typically introduced or summarized early, with details organized as support. Verbs that collocate with it include nefna (to name), draga fram (to highlight), and setja fram (to present).

Examples:

- Í upphafi greinarinnar eru helstu aðalatriðin fjögur: forsendur, aðferðir, niðurstaða og ályktun.

- Í lok greinarinnar er oft dregin saman helsta aðalatriðið eða aðalatriðin.

Note: There is a closely related term meginatriði, which is often used interchangeably depending on context, though meginatriði can carry a slightly different emphasis on central importance within a larger framework. Aðalatriða is a neutral, formal term commonly employed in summaries and argumentative writing.