Central Idea & Theme

The central idea is...

• the focused idea of the text.

• a detail from the text.

• the first sentence of a paragraph.

• a quote you provide from the text.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How is central idea different from theme?

• Theme incudes specific names and details from the text.

• Central idea includes specific names and details from the text.

• The central idea tells the lesson or moral of the text.

• The theme is the main topic or focus of the text.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

True or False: The central idea is directly tied to the author's main point or argument.

• False

• True

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

In complex texts, the central idea...

• is stated and can be quoted directly from the text.

• is implied, not stated, meaning you must rely on clues in the text to find it.

• is not directly said by the author, meaning you must draw conclusions.

• is said in the title, and therefore, copying the title is a great way to find the central idea.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

True or false: You do not have to read all of the supporting details to determine the central idea.

• True

• False

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

True or False?

One story can have multiple themes.

• true

• false

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

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

Mark wanted to be a great skater. But he didn't want to spend the hours practicing. He wished he could just do the tricks easily. Mark's dream was to have everyone stop and stare when he entered the skate park. He  wanted them to say, "Mark is the best skater in the whole world."
What is the objective summary?

• Mark wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work.
• Mark practices very hard to become a great skater.
• Mark is the best skater at the park.
• Mark wants to learn how to skate so he can compete.

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!
What is the central idea?

• Sometimes people feel sad.
• You should do good things for others.
• We're not always happy.
• There are many ways to make yourself feel better. 

A theme should be a statement, not just one word. 

• TRUE
• FALSE