Central Idea vs. Argumentative Essay

What is the central idea of a text?

• What the test is least about

• What the text is mostly about

• Not Sure

The central idea of a text is always clear.

• True

• False

• Not sure

Which text feature can give you clues about the central idea?

• Title

• Headings

• Pictures

• All of these

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's inventions still impact society today

• Thomas Edison worked until he perfected his inventions

• 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 in the Baseball Hall of Fame

• Jackie Robinson played many different sports

• Jackie Robinson is an important figure in American History

• Jackie Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers

We often let others know what we are thinking without using words. The name that we give for this kind of communication is body language. Body language includes gestures, facial expressions, and posture. Body language does not always mean the same thing to everyone.

What is the CENTRAL IDEA of the above paragraph?

• We sometimes use words to express ourselves.

• We use body language to communicate with others.

• Body language may not mean the same thing to everyone.

• Body language includes gestures, facial expression, and posture.

Central idea is ALWAYS STATED in a passage.

True or False?

• True

• False

School uniforms are far cheaper than the currently popular fashions. Many students work long hours at a paying job instead of doing homework because they feel they have to "keep up appearances." If students wore uniforms, there would be no need for most of them to have jobs that take away from their study time.

This passage is mostly about?

• popular fashion is better that uniforms

• school uniforms being a good idea.
• students working many hours at jobs.
• teens enjoying wearing uniforms.

What is another word for SUPPORTING DETAILS used to identify the CENTRAL IDEA of a text?

• Text Evidence

• Type of Conflict

• Climax

• Context Clues

The central idea of a text is always clear.

• True

• False

• Not sure