Central Idea Sleuths
What is the central idea of a text?
The most important idea or message the author wants the reader to understand.
What do supporting details do?
They explain, prove, or give examples of the central idea.
What is a summary?
A short restatement of the main idea and key details in your own words.
True or False
A summary should include your personal opinion.
False
What type of text usually has a central idea?
Informational or nonfiction texts.
True or False:
The central idea is always stated directly in the first paragraph.
False
Choose the supporting detail: “Rainforests are important because they produce much of Earth’s oxygen.”
“They produce much of Earth’s oxygen.”
What should you leave out of a summary?
Opinions or unnecessary details.
A) “The author explains why teamwork helps success.” B) “I like this article about teamwork.”
B) “I like this article about teamwork.”
What signal words can show a key detail?
Words like for example, such as, in addition, for instance.
B) Recycling reduces waste and helps the environment.
What kind of detail is this: “In 2020, the average person used over 300 plastic bags”?
A factual/statistical detail.
B) “The article explains how recycling helps reduce waste.”
B) “The article explains how recycling helps reduce waste.”
B) “Bats are scary animals.”
B) “Bats are scary animals.”
If a paragraph starts with “The most important reason…,” what might come next?
The central idea or a main point.
Name ONE strategy for finding the central idea.
topic sentences.
How can details help you infer a central idea?
They show what the author focuses on most or repeats.
What is one strategy for writing a summary?
Identify the central idea and main details; write in your own words.
Why shouldn’t you confuse a fun fact with the central idea?
A fun fact might be interesting, but it doesn’t always show the author’s main point.
Why do the body paragraphs help us create a summary?
Because they provide the evidence for the essay.
How is the central idea different from the topic?
The topic is what the text is about
The central idea is what the author says about that topic.
Name two types of supporting details.
Examples: facts, statistics, examples, expert opinions, descriptions.
Why is it important to write summaries “distinct from personal opinions”?
Because summaries should focus only on what the text says, not what you think about it.
What’s the difference between a summary and a reaction?
A summary retells what the text says; a reaction gives your opinion about it.
Why do authors use examples and evidence?
To support and clarify their central ideas.