Identifying Central Ideas - Dana

What is the CENTRAL IDEA of a nonfiction text?

• What the text is MOSTLY about.

• A full paragraph SUMMARY of a text.

• The type of CONFLICT used throughout a text.

• The meaning of an unknown word/phrase.

What is a TOPIC of a NONFICTION text?

• A full summary of the text.

• The reader's opinion of the text.

• Supporting details that prove the central idea.

• The general subject (1-3 words) of the text.

(2 minutes to answer) During World War I, many soldiers died because their wounds became infected. Antibiotics had not been discovered at that time. During World War II, many more soldiers died while in combat. Antibiotics are used to treat infections because they kill bacteria in the body. They are easily the most widely prescribed drug in the world.

What is the TOPIC of the above paragraph?

• Bacteria

• World War I

• Soldiers

• Antibiotics

(2 minutes to answer) Camp David is a secure location where the President can get away from it all. Established in 1942 by President Roosevelt, Camp David is located in Maryland, about 70 miles from Washington, D.C. in a heavily wooded area. U.S. Marines patrol the area providing optimal security. The Marines are part of the Navy. Because Camp David is so close to Washington, the president can be back at the White House very quickly in the event of a crisis.

What is the TOPIC of the above paragraph?

• U.S. Marines

• Washington D.C.

• President

• Camp David

"Are you already done?" his father asked. "It seems like you just got in the water." Jacob was finished with his bath in two minutes. He got his body and hair wet, rubbed  shampoo on his hair, washed his body with soap, and rinsed off. He liked fast baths so to have more time to play. In fact, Jacob never took a long bath. To him, the faster the bath, the better.
What is the central idea of the passage?

• Jacob is very clean
• Jacob never too showers
• Jacob likes to take fast baths

It's no surprise that exercise increases energy. The physical challenge prepares your body in a variety of ways. Blood sugar is more quickly converted to fuel, more oxygen is supplied to your cells, and fight-or-flight hormones are released. Instead of leaving you exhausted, exercise energizes. Do it in the morning for an all-day high or later in the afternoon for a pick-me-up.

This passage is mostly about?

• Exercise increases your energy.
• Exercise is easier than it looks.
• Everyone should exercise daily.
• Exercise makes you live longer.

The CENTRAL IDEA of a nonfiction text needs to always be supported with...

• The reader's opinion

• Author's who are reliable

• Supporting Details

• Concluding sentences

What is another word for SUPPORTING DETAILS used to

identify the CENTRAL IDEA of a text?

• Conflict

• Topic

• Text Evidence

• Text Features

It's no surprise that exercise increases energy. The physical challenge prepares your body in a variety of ways. Blood sugar is more quickly converted to fuel, more oxygen is supplied to your cells, and fight-or-flight hormones are released. Instead of leaving you exhausted, exercise energizes. Do it in the morning for an all-day high or later in the afternoon for a pick-me-up.

This passage is mostly about?

• Exercise increases your energy.
• Exercise is easier than it looks.
• Everyone should exercise daily.
• Exercise makes you live longer.

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.