Central Idea

What is "central idea"?

Poll

When a question asks: "What is the central idea of this passage?"

Do you know what that means?

• Yes

• No

​The main idea, what the author wants you to learn about the subject​

Central Idea

The main idea, what the author wants you to learn about a subject

​

NON-FICTION

Central Idea

The message, what the author wants you to learn

​

​

FICTION​

Theme

Theme vs. Central Idea

Multiple Choice

Fiction is...

• Fantasy, not real

• Real, something true or factual

Multiple Choice

Non-fiction is...

• Fantasy, not real

• Real, something true or factual

Multiple Choice

Which of these are example of fiction?

• Articles, biographies, text books

• Poems, fairy tales, stories

Multiple Choice

Which of these are example of non-fiction?

• Articles, biographies, text books

• Poems, fairy tales, stories

The main idea, what the author wants you to learn about a subject

​

NON-FICTION

Central Idea

The message, what the author wants you to learn

​

​

FICTION​

Theme

Theme vs. Central Idea

​

​

​

2 steps to finding the

CENTRAL IDEA:

​

Step 1:

What is the subject?​​

​Read the text.

Look at the title, subheadings, pictures, and graphs. Ask yourself: What is the subject of this text? What is it mostly about?

​

Step 2:

​

What does the author want me to know about this subject?

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​

​

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The Megalodon, which went extinct millions of years ago, was the largest shark ever documented and one of the largest fish on record. The scientific name, Carcharocles megalodon, means "giant tooth." And for good reason: Its massive teeth give scientists major clues about what the creature was like and when it died off (Live Science).

​

The Megalodon

What is the central idea?

The Megalodon, which went extinct millions of years ago, was the largest shark ever documented and one of the largest fish on record. The scientific name, Carcharocles megalodon, means "giant tooth." And for good reason: Its massive teeth give scientists major clues about what the creature was like and when it died off (Live Science).

Multiple Choice

What is the topic of the article?

• Sharks

• Massive teeth

• The Megalodon

• Prehistoric sea creatures

Multiple Choice

What about the topic is the text trying to teach me?

• Its giant teeth made the Megalodon the most fearsome prehistoric creature.

• The Megalodon's giant size made it incapable of hunting. Therefore, it went extinct.

• All modern-day sharks are descendants of the Megalodon.

• The Megalodon was a giant shark.

Multiple Select

What evidence is there to support that the article is trying to teach me that "The Megalodon was a giant shark?" Check ALL the answers that apply.

• Largest fish on record

• Hunted only in the deep ocean

• Largest shark ever documented

• Went extinct

• Name means giant tooth

Responses

• What is the topic? The Megalodon. 

• What is the excerpt trying to teach me? The Megalodon was a giant shark.

• What evidence is there to support what the article is trying to teach me? Largest shark ever documented; Largest fish on record; Name means giant tooth; Went extinct

Multiple Choice

 

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!

What is the central idea?

• There are many ways to help make you feel better.

• Sometimes people feels sad.

• People are not always happy.

• People should do good things for other people.