3.2.5 Central Idea

What is a central idea?

• the writer's opinion about a text

• the main point of the text

• the details that explain the text

• a retelling of the most important ideas

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?

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

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.
• Clowns are good at riding bulls.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Which is the correct definition for the following vocabulary word: SUPPORTING DETAILS

• Based on or influenced by personal feelings

• A brief statement or account of the main points of something

• What or who the text is about

• Details that explain the central idea

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

Microchips provide the power for wristwatches. They are also the brains in our computers, and they control robots. These chips are used in video games and space shuttles. They make our cameras, radios, and televisions small and light.
What is the story mainly about?

• How computers work
• Why televisions are small
• How microchips are used

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

A good objective summary....

• Is a summary sentence of the text that covers the key details.
• Identifies the topic, has all the key words, and is a complete sentence.
• Focuses on the central idea of the text and only the details that support it. 
• Uses direct quotes from the text in order to let the audience know what it was about. 

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which one of the following is NOT a part of a summary?

• using your own words
• summary being shorter than the text
• quotes words from the text
• including main ideas only

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.9

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Statement that is completely unbiased is...

• Subjective
• Objective
• Personal
• Nonobjective

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

Does the meaning of the text change when you write an objective summary?

• No, it's shorter but has the same meaning.
• Yes, of course the meaning changes because someone else is writing it.
• It depends on the material and who originally wrote it. 

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Statement that is biased and includes an opinion is...

• Subjective

• Objective

• Personal

• Main idea