Central Idea and Evidence

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

The central idea of nonfiction text is __________________

• one word.

• what the text is mostly about.

• the meaning of an unknown word.

What is another word for SUPPORTING DETAILS used to

identify the CENTRAL IDEA of a text?

• Conflict

• Topic

• Text Evidence

• Text Features

What is the central idea?

• Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

• Soccer players learn how to control the ball so they can score.

• Soccer players learn how to dribble.

Being able to identify the central idea of a text shows...

• that you can cite evidence from the text.

• that you understand the text.

• that you like what you are reading.

• that you know how to write.

Determine the Central Idea of the following passage

Blooms in Death Valley

In March 2016, Death Valley National Park in California experienced a rare occurrence: thousands of yellow wildflowers covered the region in a "super bloom." Why was this unusual? Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in North America. The area's average yearly precipitation is just two inches, making it a challenging place for flowers to grow. However, in October 2015, the valley had received more than three inches of rain in some areas. As a result of the unusually wet season, wildflower seeds that had been lying dormant underground suddenly began to grow, producing an abundance of golden blooms.

• Because of the hot, dry conditions in Death Valley, it is difficult for flowers to grow there.

• Because of an unusual amount of rain, thousands of wildflowers grew in Death Valley in 2016.

Recycling things like paper, plastic, and metal is beneficial for our environment by cutting down on trash. Yet many people throw away their water bottles, shipping boxes, and cans instead of recycling them. An increased focus on getting more people to recycle is leading people to develop creative ways to make it easier for Americans. One way is to put bright colored recycling containers in more places. Seeing more recycling bins helps people remember to use them. Another idea that has been developed is reverse vending machines. These machines are the opposite of traditional vending machines since you give it a recyclable good and it gives you money or reward in return. Hopefully more places will introduce new and unique ways to get people to start recycling. What is the central idea of the passage?

• People need to start recycling in order to protect our environment.

• The amount of people who recycle will increase if innovative methods are implemented.

• Reverse vending machines that gives money for recyclable goods is a creative recycling solution.

• Bright colored collection bins will help encourage people to protect the environment.

Supporting Details are...

• OPINION BASED evidence

• The key points, examples, evidence to support or elaborate on the main idea.

• A summary of a text  that only includes factual information.

Which of the following is a supporting detail of this paragraph? Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan. It takes place in a ring. Two players try to score points by holding each other down or pushing each other out of the ring. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans. The robot that scores the most points wins.

• Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests

• Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.

• Watching robot sumo is boring.

• Robots sumo contests are better than human sumo contests.

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

• What is one important detail?

• Who is the main character?

• What is the main event?

• What point about the topic is the author trying to make?