Central Idea Basics
The most important point an author makes about a topic.
👉 What is a central idea?
Details, facts, or quotes that support an idea.
👉 What is evidence in a text?
This is the reason an author writes a text.
👉 What is the author’s purpose?
This refers to how a text is organized.
👉 What is text structure?
This term means clearly stated and easy to find in the text.
👉 What is explicit?
The main message the author wants you to understand.
👉 What does the central idea tell the reader about a text?
This is something evidence should always do for a central idea.
👉 What is support or prove it?
These are three common author’s purposes.
👉 What are to inform, persuade, or entertain?
These are common types of text structure.
👉 What are cause and effect, problem and solution, compare and contrast, sequence, and description?
This term means suggested but not directly stated.
👉 What is implicit?
A one word or phrase; a full statement about the topic.
👉 What is the difference between a topic and a central idea?
This explains why one detail alone cannot be a central idea.
👉 What is because a central idea must be supported by multiple details?
This was Barbara Jordan’s purpose in “All Together Now.”
👉 What is inspiring unity and civic responsibility?
This explains why an author uses different paragraphs or sections.
👉 What is to develop ideas and support the purpose?
This is the first thing students should read on a FAST question.
👉 What is the question or question stem?
To understand the author’s main point.
👉 Why do readers look for the central idea?
In “The First Americans,” this type of evidence shows Native Americans were peaceful.
👉What are examples of culture, traditions, and peaceful living?
This is why an author uses emotional language in a speech.
👉 What is to persuade or inspire the audience?
In a speech, this is why an author ends with a strong quote.
👉 What is to leave a lasting impression on the audience?
This test-taking strategy helps narrow down the correct answer.
👉 What is eliminating wrong answer choices?
This type of central idea is suggested but not directly stated in the text.
👉What is an implicit central idea?
This is how evidence usually develops across a text.
👉 What is building and strengthening the central idea over time?
This is how identifying author’s purpose helps on a test.
👉 What is understanding why the author included certain details?
This explains how specific paragraphs in “All Together Now” build unity.
👉 What is by warning against division and encouraging shared responsibility?
This is a clue that an answer choice is probably incorrect.
👉 What is it being too extreme, unrelated, or unsupported by the text?