Inferences Main Idea Theme

The main idea of a text is...

• what the text is a little bit about

• what the text is never about

• what the text is sometimes telling you

• what the text is mostly, or mainly, about

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.  Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball.  They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.  Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.

• They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.

• Soccer players learn how to dribble.

• They learn how to work together as teammates.

• Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

The central idea of a passage/text is....

• what the text is a little bit about

• what the text is sometimes telling you

• what the text is never about

• what the text is mostly or mainly about

What might be the central idea of a book titled "Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables?"

• Tomatoes are good for you.

• Strawberries have seeds on the outside.

• It's important to eat vegetables and fruit.

• Spinach is good for your bones.

Supporting details....

• are pointless when determining the central idea

• just give more information

• do not support the central idea

• help prove the central idea (evidence)

It doesn't matter what type of clothes you wear or the kind of music you listen to.  What matters most is who you are inside.

• Theme

• Main Idea

Do you think this sentence implies a theme or a main idea? It was a rainy day, and mom had to get creative to keep the kids from getting too bored.

• Theme

• Main Idea

Do you think this sentence implies a theme or a main idea?When Julia fell off the monkey bars and broke her arm, she was terrified to go to the emergency room.

• Theme

• Main Idea

Do you think this sentence implies a theme or a main idea?Even if someone has something else that you want, you should still be thankful for what you have.

• Theme

• Main Idea

The theme is rarely directly stated.

• TRUE

• FALSE