Topic Sentence and Controlling Idea

6.8Di Controlling Idea/Evidence

Why do I need to know this?

Informational texts need to have a controlling idea. The author creates the idea with a purpose in mind. The controlling idea and purpose become the central point of the selection. Your job is to discover this idea. If the details are not verifying that, then you may have to rethink the controlling idea. The correct controlling idea and purpose and the details that support the controlling idea help your comprehension improve.

Controlling Idea

* Main point or idea

* Path of writing

* Assists in undertanding the purpose of the selection

Supporting Evidence

* Details that reinforce the controlling idea

* organized to develop the controlling idea and purpose

* Adds to the purpose of the selection

Multiple Choice

Storm Surges:

What does the word abruptly mean?

• steadily

• slowly

• quickly

Multiple Choice

Storm Surges:

What feature is a part of this selection?

• Photograph

• Graph

• Headings

Open Ended

What is the author's purpose for including the feature?

Open Ended

What is the controlling idea of this selection? What is the author's purpose?

Open Ended

What evidence supports this controlling idea?

Partner Practice

Get with a partner to complete "Sine Que Non" on page 143 and "A Beautiful Fall" on page 144. Make sure to answer the side questions as well.

Multiple Choice

Solar Revolution

1. The Latin root bene means "well". This information helps the reader determine that the word benefit in paragraph 2 means---

• service

• value

• provision

• advantage

Multiple Choice

Solar Revolution:

2. Which detail from the selection is best supported by the photograph?

• These panels convert the sun's rays into electricity.

• Noting is burned, and no drilling occurs.

• Sadly, solar energy has its issues.

• Or better yet, solar farms may become as common as wind farms.

Multiple Choice

Solar Revolution:

3. Paragraph is mainly about the --

• reasons that pollution is harmful

• popularity of using solar panels and energy

• appeal of using solar panels and energy

• ease of installing solar panels to a home

Multiple Choice

Solar Revolution:

4. Which sentence expresses the controlling idea of the selection?

• Solar power, with both its positives and negatives, could be the best renewable energy we have today.

• Solar power can be quite expensive for people to buy, install, and use an alternative energy source.

• As long as the sun continues to shine, solar power is the only practical source of energy to keep our planet clean.

• The sun will soon replace other energy sources as a way to create electricity for our homes.

Multiple Choice

Solar Revolution:

5. Read this sentence from paragraph 1:

"Solar power is now one of the most reliable forms of renewable energy."

Which statement from the selection supports the idea in this sentence?

• Today, the sun can be used to create electricity.

• Not only that, the sun will continue to shine for the foreseeable future.

• Only a little power can be generated on rainy days.

• Either way, the sun could replace some of the fossil fuels used to create electricity.

Multiple Choice

Solar Revolution:

6. The author's main purpose for writing this selection is to---

• discuss the need for renewable energy

• compare and contrast fossil fuels as energy to the sun

• provide reasons to use solar panels as a renewable energy source

• explain the advantages and disadvantages for solar energy

Multiple Choice

Solar Revolution:

7. One challenge of solar panels is ---

• the cost of installing the panels

• where to put the storage batteries

• a way to convert the sun's energy to electricity

• how to install the solar panels

Open Ended

In your own words, explain what a controlling idea is, make sure to use examples to support your answer.