Main Idea & Central Idea
The main idea is about what?
What the text is mostly about.
What is a claim?
A statement or argument
“I have a dream” uses repetition—what is repetition?
Repeating words/phrases for emphasis
What is tone?
Author’s attitude
What should you do FIRST when reading a passage?
Read carefully/annotate
What is the difference between a topic and main idea?
Topic = subject, Main idea = what the author says about it
What is evidence?
Text proof (quote or detail)
“Life is a rollercoaster” is what type?
Metaphor
What is word choice used for?
To create meaning or mood
If you don’t know an answer, what’s a smart strategy?
Eliminate wrong answers
Which detail supports a main idea?
A fact/example that proves or explains it
What is reasoning?
Explains how evidence supports the claim
Giving human traits to objects is called…
Personification
Why is structure important in writing?
Helps organize ideas clearly
What does it mean to cite evidence?
Use text proof
Why is identifying the main idea important?
Helps understand the purpose/message of the text
Which is strongest evidence: opinion or text quote?
Text quote
Comparisons that use "like" or "as" are called...
Similes
What is one technique you could copy from an ad?
Repetition, strong language, emotional appeal
What should you avoid in constructed responses?
Just summarizing / no explanation
If multiple details repeat, what does that usually signal?
The main idea
Which example BEST shows reasoning?
A. “The author says school uniforms are helpful.”
B. “According to the text, uniforms reduce bullying.”
C. “This shows uniforms reduce bullying because students are less likely to judge each other based on clothing.”
D. “Uniforms are important in schools.”
C
Why do authors use figurative language?
To create imagery, emotion, meaning
Which student response BEST “writes like the advertiser”?
A. “This product is good and you should buy it.”
B. “Buy this now.”
C. “Don’t miss your chance to level up—feel stronger, faster, and unstoppable with every use.”
D. “This is a product that works well.”
C
What makes a strong MCAP response?
Clear claim + strong evidence + explanation