Central Ideas, Themes, and Social Issues

What is the CENTRAL IDEA of a nonfiction text?

• The universal truth, moral lesson, or message that the author intends for the audience.

• What the text is MOSTLY about.

• The type of CONFLICT used throughout a text.

• A full paragraph SUMMARY of a text.

Read the following passage:

The Louisiana Purchase proved to be one of the shrewdest business pacts in the entire history of the United States. The purchase doubled in the area of the country and provided territory from which fourteen new states were created either wholly or in part. It also gave us control over the mouth of the Mississippi River and opened up the way to foreign trade. Prior to the purchase, the waterway had been blocked by the Spanish, probably with the approval of Napoleon. The land that was bought was rich in timber, minerals, and natural resources of many kinds. Finally, the cost of the transaction was unbelievably low; the total of $15 million amounted to about four cents an acre.

What is the central idea of this passage?

• The land bought by the Louisiana Purchase was rich in minerals.

• Most Americans were very pleased with the purchase.

• The Louisiana Purchase was a very good business deal for the U.S.

• The land bought by the Louisiana Purchase was very cheap.

What is a theme?

• What the text is mainly about

• Details to support a claim

• The tone of the piece

• Universal messages or concepts that resonate across different works.

What is the central idea of the passage?

Thomas Edison’s life span is known as “The age of Edison.” If it wasn’t for Thomas Edison, we might not have electric lights, telephones, movie cameras, or computers! Think of all the ways these great products affect our lives today. Edison held over 1,000 patents and received dozens of awards during his lifetime for his inventions and contributions to science.

• The light bulb has become an essential invention.

• Thomas Edison worked until he perfected his inventions.

• Thomas Edison's inventions still impact society today.

• The process of inventing is never-ending.

What is the central idea of the passage?

Jackie Robinson did something nobody had ever done before. He was not only a three-sport athlete at UCLA. He was the first African-American to play on a Major league baseball team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson had to deal with racism all over the country. He was treated very poorly by the by other players and fans in the stadiums he visited. But, whenever things got difficult, his courage and determination kept him going. Today his number 42 is retired on every team in major league baseball, and he is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

• Jackie Robinson is an important figure in American History.

• Jackie Robinson is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

• Jackie Robinson played many different sports.

• Jackie Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

What is the main difference between THEME and CENTRAL IDEA?

• Theme is what a story is about and a central idea is the universal lesson it teaches.

• Theme is a universal lesson and a central idea is what a story is about.

During a baseball game, Tanner tried to tag a player leaving first base. When the umpire called the player out, Tanner immediately informed the umpire that he in fact did not tag the runner. Two weeks later, the very same umpire was at another one of Tanner’s baseball games. Tanner was playing short stop and tagged a runner as they approached third base. When the umpire called the player safe, Tanner didn’t say a word, but the umpire noticed the surprised look on Tanner’s face. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked Tanner. When Tanner told her that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed her decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by her decision.
What is the theme?

• You should cheat to win.

• It pays to be honest.

• Always work hard.

• Teamwork is best.

During a baseball game, Tanner tried to tag a player leaving first base. When the umpire called the player out, Tanner immediately informed the umpire that he in fact did not tag the runner. Two weeks later, the very same umpire was at another one of Tanner’s baseball games. Tanner was playing short stop and tagged a runner as they approached third base. When the umpire called the player safe, Tanner didn’t say a word, but the umpire noticed the surprised look on Tanner’s face. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked Tanner. When Tanner told her that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed her decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by her decision.

What is the central idea?

• Tanner is really good at baseball, but he lies to the umpire in order to win the World Series.

• Tanner got tagged out in the first game but was able to slide into home in the second game and help his team win.

• Tanner tells the truth about tagging or not tagging other players in a baseball game and it pays off in the long run.

• Tanner wasn't very good at playing baseball, but with hard work, he was able to become the world's greatest.

Read the following sentence: "Friendship helps people get through hard times."

The sentence is an example of a

• Central idea

• Theme

Read the following sentence: "A woman risks her life to spy for the Union during the Civil War."

The sentence is an example of a

• Central idea

• Theme