Central Idea

Central Idea and
Supporting Details

Central Idea

Central idea is what the text is mostly about.

The central idea can only be one sentence.

Also known as main idea.

Can be found in fiction and nonfiction text.

There can be a central idea for the entire article or specific paragraphs.

​Topic

​Central Idea

Supporting
Details

Multiple Choice

The central idea can be inferred or directly stated.

• True
• False

Multiple Choice

Central idea can be more than one sentence.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of a topic of an article?

• Dolphins can communicate with one another.

• dolphins

• Whistling is one way that dolphins talk to each other.

• Have you ever heard of a dolphin?

Supporting Details

Supporting details support the central idea by giving important facts, examples, and other information that explain more about it.

Multiple Choice

Supporting details....

• are pointless when determining the central idea

• just give more information

• do not support the central idea

• are evidence and prove the central idea

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a supporting detail of this paragraph? Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan. It takes place in a ring. Two players try to score points by holding each other down or pushing each other out of the ring. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans. The robot that scores the most points wins.

• Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests

• Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.

• Watching robot sumo is boring.

• Robots sumo contests are better than human sumo contests.

Multiple Choice

Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.

Main Idea: Reading class is really interesting.

• It's my least favorite class.

• Sometimes we do dramatic readings of the text that are super engaging. 

• Our teacher gives us new ways to look at things.

• We learn interesting facts from the things we read.

Multiple Select

The central idea of this passage is that dreams have a purpose, even if we don't remember them. Which of the following is/are supporting detail(s) for this central idea?

• Humans dream for an average of two hours.

• Scientists believe [nightmares] are a way for our brains to prepare us to handle bad situations.

• Thanks to dreams, we learn better and are more creative.

• Bad emotions and anxieties turn into nightmares.

Types of Central Idea Questions

Which two pieces of evidence best support the central idea of the text?

Complete the table by putting check marks in the appropriate boxes to match the textual evidence to the central/main idea.

Identify Details

What is another good title for this reading passage?

Different Title

Which statement describes a central/main idea in ____?

Tell What the Text is Mostly About

How to Find the Central Idea

◻︎ Read the Title
◻︎ Ask yourself: 'What will this text be about?'
◻︎ Look at pictures and other text features (headings, captions, diagrams)

Before Reading

◻︎ Look for key words, ideas, and phrases that are repeated

During Reading

◻︎ Ask yourself: 'What is this text mostly about?'
◻︎ Reread the first and last paragraph

After Reading

Multiple Choice

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the main idea?

• Who is the main character?
• What is the main event?
• What is one important detail?
• What point is the author trying to make?

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

Multiple Choice

What is the topic of this passage?

• Massive teeth

• Megaladon

• Sharks

• Prehistoric sea creatures

Multiple Choice

What is the author trying to teach me about Megalodons?

• The giant teeth of the Megalodon is what makes it special.

• Megalodons were more deadly than the T-Rex.

• The Megalodon was a giant, prehistoric shark.

• Sharks are the most deadly sea creatures.

Multiple Select

What text features can give you a clue of what the main idea is?

• Title
• Headings
• Pictures
• Diagrams

Multiple Choice

Find the central idea
 Being a clown isn't all fun and games.  Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform.  When cowboys dismount or are bucked off of bulls at riding competitions, rodeo clowns jump in front of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention.  In this way rodeo clowns provide an alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider.  So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business

• Being a clown isn't all fun and games.
• Rodeo clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.
• Rodeos are exciting.
• Rodeo clowns

Multiple Choice

Which sentence best describes the central idea of the paragraph?

Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.

• Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is

• Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way

• Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short

• They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area

Poll

How do you feel about finding the central idea and supporting details?

• Wait, what? Central idea??

• Eh, I missed most of these because I didn't want to read.

• Okay, I understand what it is.

• Great! I think it is easy and I will do fine by myself on the assignment.