Central Idea
What is the central idea of a text?
The most important point/idea
What does it mean to be objective?
Not influenced by personal feelings/opinions
What is a context clue?
Hints in the surrounding text that a reader can use to infer the meaning of an unfamiliar word
What is text evidence?
The details that readers use to support their ideas and opinions
What does PIE stand for?
Persuade, Inform, Entertain
What is a central idea of "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind"?
Discovering the Using Energy book had the potential to radically alter the author’s life.
What does it mean to be subjective?
Based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions
Where are context clues usually found in a text?
Close to the unknown word (i.e. in the same sentence)
What text evidence from "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" supports the inference that William was inclined toward engineering before he had ever heard of windmills?
A. “All I needed was a windmill, and then I could have lights.”
B. “We’d find old water bottles people threw away in the trading center, cut the plastic into blades like a fan, then put a nail through the center attached to a stick.”
B. “We’d find old water bottles people threw away in the trading center, cut the plastic into blades like a fan, then put a nail through the center attached to a stick.”
What are synonyms for "to inform"?
To explain, to show, to teach
What is a central idea of "An American Plague"?
Dr. Rush had a different way of seeing things than most people of his time.
What is an objective summary?
Briefly stating the main points and most important facts/details from the text in your own words
What is the context clue for the word kerosene in this sentence:
"No more kerosene lamps that burned our eyes and sent us gasping for breath."
"burned our eyes"
What text evidence from "An American Plague" supports the inference that the doctors had a difficult time diagnosing LeMaigre since many medical advancements had not yet been made?
A. “The idea that illness was caused by microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, was not known at the time.”
B. “Physicians called these sores petechiae, which is Latin for skin spots, and Rush observed that they ‘resembled moscheto bites.’”
A. “The idea that illness was caused by microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, was not known at the time.”
What are synonyms for "to entertain"?
To describe, to amuse, to captivate
What is the central idea of "Letter to President Theodore Roosevelt"?
American children should be protected from labor exploitation by the law
What is the most important event in "An American Plague"?
When Dr. Rush announced that Catherine had yellow fever
What is the context clue for the word delirious in this sentence:
"Finally, the pulse grew weak, the tongue turned a dry brown, and the victim became depressed, confused, and delirious."
"the victim became depressed, confused"
Which text evidence from "Fever 1793" develops the story showing how the city has become a grim and frightening place?
A. “It was night in the middle of the day.”
B. “No one was about; businesses were closed and houses shuttered.”
C. “Yellow rags fluttered from railings and door knockers—pus yellow, fear yellow—to mark the homes of the sick and the dying.”
C. “Yellow rags fluttered from railings and door knockers—pus yellow, fear yellow—to mark the homes of the sick and the dying.”
What are synonyms for "to persuade"?
To inspire, to convince, to influence
What 3 things can help you infer the central idea of a text?
The main character, the key moment, and the theme of the text
Listed below are four events from "An American Plague." Which two would be included in an objective summary?
Catherine Le Maigre muttered that she felt like her stomach was burning.
Dr. Hodge and Dr. Foulke attempt to treat Catherine LeMaigre, who is dying, but nothing helps.
Dr. Hodge was stubborn and crusty in his ways; however, he was a respected physician.
The doctors discuss how Catherine’s symptoms—chills, body aches, and a fever—are the same as other patients in the area.
2 and 4
What is the context clue for the word exploit in this sentence:
These little children, raked by cruel toil beneath the iron wheels of greed, are starving in this country which you have declared is in the height of prosperity—slaughtered, ten hours a day, every day in the week, every week in the month, every month in the year, that our manufacturing aristocracy may live to exploit more slaves as the years roll by.
"ten hours a day, every day in the week, every week in the month, every month in the year...more slaves"
What text evidence from "Letter to President Theodore Roosevelt" supports the inference that President Roosevelt’s involvement in the child labor cause could have an impact that goes beyond this particular conflict?
A. “In Philadelphia alone thousands of persons will wait upon your answer, while throughout the land, wherever there is organized labor, the people will anxiously await an expression of your sentiments toward suffering childhood.”
B. “Perhaps the crime of child slavery has never been forcibly brought to your notice.”
C. “Being citizens of the United States of America, we, members of the textile industry, take the liberty of addressing this appeal to you.”
A. “In Philadelphia alone thousands of persons will wait upon your answer, while throughout the land, wherever there is organized labor, the people will anxiously await an expression of your sentiments toward suffering childhood.”
What was the author's purpose for "An American Plague" and "Fever 1793"?
Hint: Your answer should include the central idea.
To show readers how the yellow fever epidemic affected Philadelphia in 1793