Central Idea in Literature

Central Idea & Theme

​Test prep review

Multiple Choice

Let's test your prior knowledge.

What is theme?

• the underlying message or lesson about life or human nature

• the main point or message of a text

Multiple Choice

Let's test your prior knowledge.

What is the central idea of a text?

• the underlying message or lesson about life or human nature

• the main point of a message or text

• the moral, message, or lesson about life/human nature

• a generality that can be applied to all people in life, not just the characters in the story or text

• must be determined by looking at plot, character, setting, tone/mood, etc.

• usually pertains to fictional texts

Theme

• the main point or message of a text

• specific to the text or story; it probably cannot be applied to you or me

• usually pertains to nonfiction texts

Central Idea

Differentiating Central Idea & Theme

More often than not:
central idea is explicit, while theme is implicit.

(explicit = stated clearly in the text)
(implicit = implied)

A young lion cub grows up to defeat his evil uncle and is able to reclaim the kingdom.

Central Idea of The Lion King

-Running away from life's problems can be tempting, but facing them results in reaching one's potential.
-Forgiving yourself is often the greatest hurtle in moving on from mistakes.

​​Themes of The Lion King

​Let's use The Lion King to show the contrast between central idea & theme:

​(This is explicitly shown in the plot of the story.)

​(This is implied in the story; determined by looking at Simba's characterization and central conflict.)

Central Idea is:

-NOT the topic of the text
-NOT the same as theme
-can often be stated in one sentence
-stated explicitly in the text

​Quick Recap:

Theme is:

-NOT the same as central idea
-NOT directly stated in the text
-what the author wants the reader to understand/learn about the main topic(s) of a text.
-must be inferred by looking at multiple elements of the text (plot, character, setting, mood/tone, etc.)

NOTE: one story can have multiple themes (a lesson about each topic).

​Quick Recap:

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of central idea?

• it is what the text is mainly about

• it is the topic of the text

• it is explicit

• can often be stated in one sentence

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of theme?

• there is often only one per story

• it is implicit

• it is the life lesson, message, or moral of a story

• usually found in fictional texts

Determining central idea:

Central idea is usually explicitly stated in the article or story, therefore it is identified by close reading and comprehension of the main idea of the text.

​The best question to ask is:
What is the point of the article or story?

Steps to take when determining theme:

1. Pay attention to what happens to the main character or speaker.

2. Pay attention to the main conflict of the story.

3. Look for clues in the title, in tone/mood, in characterization, in word choice, and in setting.

4. Identify any general topics in the story/poem (i.e. "honesty" or "equality") and look for potential messages about those topics within the story/poem (i.e. "Honesty is the best policy" or "We are all the same on the inside").

Let's practice determining central idea.

A jingle dress is for special occasions among the Ojibwa people. Often, Ojibwa women and girls wear a jingle dress at powwows. These are social gatherings where people do traditional dances have fun. A jingle dress has small metal cones hanging from it like a fringe. The dress makes a jingling sound when a girl dances. According to a story, a jingle dress helped cure a young girl. That is why the Ojibwa believe that the jingle dress is a healing garment. 

​You will answer a multiple choice question on the next slide.

Multiple Choice

What is the central idea of the following informational paragraph?

A jingle dress is for special occasions among the Ojibwa people. Often, Ojibwa women and girls wear a jingle dress at powwows. These are social gatherings where people do traditional dances have fun. A jingle dress has small metal cones hanging from it like a fringe. The dress makes a jingling sound when a girl dances. According to a story, a jingle dress helped cure a young girl. That is why the Ojibwa believe that the jingle dress is a healing garment. 

• Jingle dresses cure people.

• Jingle dresses are used for special Ojibwa events.

• Ojibwa dresses make jingling sounds.

Let's practice determining central idea...again.

Where is the Grand Canyon? Most people think it is in Arizona. However, many other states have their own grand canyons, too. The Waimea Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. People in North Dakota think of the Painted Canyon in that state as their grand canyon. And Californians use the nickname for a canyon on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. This underwater grand canyon is officially called the Monterey Bay Canyon. 

​You will answer a multiple choice question on the next slide.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following quotes from the paragraph best indicates the central idea of the text?

Where is the Grand Canyon? Most people think it is in Arizona. However, many other states have their own grand canyons, too. The Waimea Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. People in North Dakota think of the Painted Canyon in that state as their grand canyon. And Californians use the nickname for a canyon on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. This underwater grand canyon is officially called the Monterey Bay Canyon. 

• "People in North Dakota think of the Painted Canyon in that state as their grand canyon."

• "Where is the Grand Canyon?"

• "However, many other states have their own grand canyons, too."

Let's practice determining theme.

“If I can stop one heart from breaking”

By: Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

​You will answer a multiple choice questions on the next slides.

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of the poem?

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

• One should avoid a broken heart.

• A life lived in service of others is a life well-lived.

• It is good to help birds back into their nests if they faint.

Multiple Choice

How do we know the theme of the poem is "A life lived in service of others is a life well-lived"?

• The speaker repeats "I shall not live in vain," which implies a focus on living a life of value. Additionally, the speaker uses words like "ease" and "help" that indicate acts of service.

• We know that Emily Dickenson was a recluse who rarely interacted with people; this poem was her longing to have relationships with people.

• The central idea is about not living in vain.