Theme and Central Idea 1
This term refers to the overall message or lesson about life that an author conveys throughout a text.
What is the theme?
This text structure explains a challenge and then presents a way to fix it.
What is problem and solution?
Signal words like "therefore," "as a result," and "consequently" are clues for this text structure.
What is cause and effect?
The "Cause and Effect" structure is most easily confused with this structure, which also shows relationships but focuses on the reason for a problem and its resolution.
What is problem and solution?
True or False: The central idea is always stated directly in the first sentence.
What is false?
A "narrative" central idea is best described as this.
What is the main idea?
A text explaining the differences between ancient and modern Olympic games uses this structure.
What is compare and contrast?
When writing a paper comparing the economies of New Mexico and Florida, this structure is most appropriate.
What is compare and contrast?
A text that describes the physical, rocky terrain of a desert and then lists the various species adapted to it is using this structure.
What is description?
What question should you ask yourself to find the central idea of a paragraph?
Why did the author write this passage?
What is the point he/she is trying to make?
What is the passage mostly about?
What idea is conveyed in the passage?
Sentences in the passage that support, describe, or explain the central idea
What are supporting details?
This text structure identifies an action that takes place and the resulting consequences.
What is cause and effect?
A paragraph describing the physical features of a chameleon's skin, eyes, and tail is organized by this structure.
What is description?
While "first," "then," and "finally" are signal words for chronological order, these signal words often indicate a Compare and Contrast structure.
What are however, similarly, on the other hand, than, better, less, and whereas?
(Similar answers accepted)
True or False: Your central idea doesn't have to support every supporting detail.
What is false?
True or False: A theme is mostly found in fictional stories, while central ideas are in informational texts.
What is true?
An author writing an article about the history of the Olympics would use a chronological structure, but to analyze the changes between ancient and modern, they must use this structure.
What is compare and contrast?
A text explaining the rising sea levels and suggesting ways to reduce carbon footprints uses this structure.
What is problem and solution?
A text that explains how to reduce pollution by explaining the dangers of waste, listing potential solutions, and examining the results of these actions uses this hybrid structure.
What is problem and solution?
How can you determine a central idea if it is not directly stated in the text?
What is by analyzing the supporting details and making an inference?
When determining the central idea, this is the difference between a detail and the main point.
A detail is narrow/specific, while the main point is broad?
A passage describing how to build a model rocket using steps in order is using this structure.
What is process/procedural?
Which text structure breaks down a topic into categories or groups?
What is classification?
The text structure that presents items according to their location.
What is geographic order?
A passage about climate change includes facts about rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and extreme weather. What is the likely central idea?
What is climate change is causing serious environmental problems?
(Similar answers accepted)