central idea homework

Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

Main Idea Worksheets

The main idea, also called the central idea or main point, is the primary concept of a passage. It represents the essential point that the author is trying to convey. The main idea may be clearly stated as a sentence. The main idea is usually reinforced by a series of other points or details which support the premise of the main idea. These are called supporting ideas and may also be stated or implied. Please use any of the printable main idea worksheets below in your classroom or at home. Just click on the worksheet title to view details about the printable PDF and print or download to your computer.Be sure to check out all of our reading worksheets . If you're looking for more activities, check out www.readingvine.com's main idea reading passages .

Find the Main Idea: Storms

After reading a brief passage about storms, students are prompted to write the main idea and 3 details.

Find the Main Idea: Spots the Barn Cat

A short passage about Spots the Barn cat. Students circle the main idea from a list of options.

What is the Main Idea? Carnival

Students read a short paragraph about carnivals, circle the main idea and write 3 details.

Find the Main Idea: Anne of Green Gables

A main idea worksheet about the book, Anne of Green Gables. Students write the main idea and two supporting ideas.

Find the Main Idea: Planets

Students read a passage about planets and then write the main idea and supporting ideas.

Find the Main Idea: The Jungle Book

Students read a passage from Rudyard Kipling’s book, The Jungle Book, and write the main idea in the large oval and two supporting ideas in the small, linked ovals.

Find the Main Idea: The Meerkat

Students read about the fascinating Meerkat and write down the main idea and supporting ideas.

Main Idea Graphic Organizer

Learning how to properly structure an essay can be difficult. With this Main Idea Tree, students will create an outline that allows them to better understand the different parts of a five paragraph essay. Students will be asked to write their introduction, a main idea, three topic sentences, three supporting details for each topic sentence, and a conclusion.

Find the Main Idea: Dolphins

Students read about the dolphins and write the main idea and two supporting ideas on the lines provided.

Find the Main Idea: The Louisiana Purchase

Students read about the Louisiana Purchase and write the main idea and two supporting ideas on the lines provided.

Find the Main Idea: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Students write the main idea and three supporting ideas after reading a short passage from the book,The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Find the Main Idea: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

A main idea worksheet about the book, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Students write the main idea and two supporting ideas.

Find the Main Idea: Ben Franklin

A reading passage about Ben Franklin. Students read and write the main idea and supporting ideas.

Find the Main Idea: Black Beauty

After reading a passage from “Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell, students write the main idea and two supporting ideas.

Find the Main Idea: Little Women

Students read a passage from Louisa May Alcott’s book, Little Women, and write the main idea and two supporting ideas.

Find the Main Idea: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Students read a passage from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and write the main idea and supporting ideas.

Find the Main Idea: Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Students write the main idea and up to 5 supporting ideas after reading a short passage from the book, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain.

Find the Main Idea: Two Reading Passages

One passage about the U.S. Constitution and one about the sport of soccer. Students read both, circle the main idea and write a supporting idea.

Find the Main Idea: Call of the Wild

After reading a passage from “Call of the Wild” by Jack London, students write the main idea and two supporting ideas.

Find the Main Idea: Major Art Movements

A worksheet about the major art movements. Students write the main idea and 4 supporting ideas.

Central Idea

Free lesson plans and resources to help your students identify topics, central ideas, and supporting details. Resources utilize short passages and focus on both stated and implied central ideas.

• ReadTheory >
• Lesson Plans >
• Central Idea >

Whole Week Overview

This week students will engage in deep dive into identifying topics, central ideas, supporting details in various short passages, as well as the difference between central ideas that are stated by the author versus implied.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.2/4.2/5.2

Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

• Teacher Guide
• Daily Powerpoints with Teacher Notes
• Printable Passages, Notes, Activities, Warm Ups, and Exit Tickets
• Short Standards-Focused Assessment

Day 1 - Introduction

Activate students’ prior knowledge by asking them to come up with their best definition for “Central Idea.”

Core Instruction

Using the guided notes and handouts, define central idea and introduce the central metaphor for the week: The Central Idea Sundae

Guided Practice

As a class, identify the topic of numerous photographs.

Independent Practice

Annotate the provided passages and begin identifying topics, central ideas, and whether those ideas are stated or implied.  Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the Powerpoint as well.

Day 2 - Whole Class Practice

Students will practice identifying possible topics and central ideas of an image. Whole class will discuss.

Review the 3 essential ingredients of a central idea with students.

Annotate the provided passage (yesterday’s exit ticket) and a book cover as a class and begin identifying topics, central ideas, and whether those ideas are stated or implied.

Group Practice

Analyze two book covers and begin identifying topics, central ideas, and whether those ideas are stated or implied.

Students will craft short paragraphs focusing on supporting a central idea about themselves.  Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the Powerpoint as well.

Day 3 - Working Backwards

Students will practice identifying possible topics and central ideas from images. Whole class will discuss.

Students will learn about how to work backwards from key details to determine a central idea.

Students will read supporting details as a class and practice forming central ideas from those details.

Students will read supporting details and practice forming central ideas from those details. Students will craft their own paragraphs and break them down into supporting details and central idea. Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the Powerpoint as well.

Day 4 - Group Practice

Students will review all elements of the week’s lessons: topic, supporting details, central idea.

Students will craft central idea statements with multiple passages. Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the Powerpoint as well.

Day 5 - Assessment

The assessment.

Hand out the assessment for students and then go over the directions:

• Read the passage carefully.
• Highlight/circle  key details that communicate the central idea.
• Use the close sentence scaffold to write a central idea statement.

Students will also be asked to apply what they’ve learned to two passages.

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Lesson Plans

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Reading Skills

Finding the central idea.

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: December 27, 2023

What We Review

Introduction

Understanding the central idea in reading is an essential skill for comprehending both literary and informational texts. Think of it as the heart of what the author wants to tell us. It’s not just the subject of the text but the key message or argument the author is presenting.

In articles or speeches, you might find this main idea in the first few sentences. But when it comes to novels or stories, it’s a bit like a puzzle. You’ll need to connect the dots throughout and sometimes even after you’ve finished reading to really grasp it.

In this blog post, we’re going to explore some great ways to identify this central idea, and we’ll try out some activities to practice this skill. Are you ready to get started? Let’s jump right in!

Defining Central Idea

The central idea of a text is not quite the same as the topic or theme. But that does not mean that both things are not important! In fact, being familiar with both the topic and theme is a stepping stone to grasping the central idea.

For example, take Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice . One of the initial topics is Antonio’s venture trading. Another possible topic is Antonio’s melancholy, but more is needed to understand the play’s central idea. As the play continues, the theme of Antisemitism is apparent in Antonio’s treatment of Shylock, the Jewish money-lender. However, there are so many other themes present! Love, deception, and marriage also feature – the theme alone does not accurately represent the central idea. 

Looking at the play as a whole allows us to understand Shakespeare’s broader message about the human experience. For instance, a possible central idea in The Merchant of Venice is how it exposes the hypocrisy in both Christian and Jewish communities, showing how neither is morally superior despite their claims.

Additionally, a text can have several messages or central ideas expressed throughout the text, and Shakespeare is no exception to this.

The play suggests that these concepts are intertwined. In the climax, when Portia, disguised as a lawyer, serves justice to Shylock, it’s more than he bargained for. Meanwhile, Antonio, who was at risk of death, receives mercy. This twist of events highlights that mercy can sometimes be a form of justice, and vice versa, as seen when Antonio shows mercy to Shylock through his daughter, Jessica.

Strategies for Identifying the Central Idea

To find the central idea in a text, it’s essential to practice close reading , which means reading the text multiple times, each time with a different focus. Here’s how it works:

• Preview the Text: Start by quickly going through the text to get a general idea of what it’s about. Look at things like headings, opening sentences, or any images or graphs.
• First Reading – Basic Understanding: Now, read the text more thoroughly to understand what it’s saying. This is where you get a grip on the main topics and the basic storyline or arguments.
• Second Reading – Deeper Understanding: Read the text again, but this time, pay attention to the key ideas and details. Think about how different parts of the text connect to each other.
• Third Reading – Author’s Purpose and Perspective: In this reading, try to understand why the author wrote the text and their viewpoint. What are they trying to tell us? Why do they think this topic is important?
• Identifying the Central Idea: After these readings, use everything you’ve gathered to figure out the central idea. This is where you put together the main messages from the text and understand what the author wants to say about life or the human experience.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to dive deep into a text and really understand not just what it’s about but what message the author is trying to convey.

Drawing Conclusions about the Central Idea

To accurately understand the central idea of a text, it’s important to analyze key elements systematically. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

• Understand the Plot: Make sure you have a clear grasp of the story’s events. What happens and in what order?
• Review the Characters: Focus on the characters, especially those who undergo significant changes. How and why do they change throughout the story?
• Analyze Character Motivations and Actions: Consider what drives these characters. How do their motivations and actions highlight the main themes or key ideas in the text?
• Link Themes to Character Development: Connect the dots between what motivates the characters and the broader themes of the story. This will help you form a clearer picture of the central idea.

For example, The Merchant of Venice characterizes Shylock as a greedy, vengeful money-lender bent on punishing Antonio for mistreating him. He maintains this character until he receives his verdict from Portia, which condemns him, instead of his enemy, for plotting to murder another Venetian. This verdict changes him into a sorrowful, broken man.

Shylock’s actions reveal that the theme of justice, in Shylock’s eyes, is merely vengeance. When Portia enters the scene, however, she brings with her the notion of the coexistence of justice and mercy. The final events of the play reveal the error of Shylock’s vengeance and how Shakespeare believed justice should be delivered alongside mercy. 

Classroom Application

There are many things you can do to identify the central ideas in a text. Here are some tips to help you uncover the central idea in any text you’re reading:

• Keep an Eye on the Characters: Pay attention to what the characters in the story are doing and why they’re doing it. As you read, jot down notes about their actions and motives. This will help you understand them better.
• Back Up Your Ideas with Evidence: When you have a thought about a character or something that’s happening in the story, don’t just keep it in your head. Find a sentence or a scene in the book that supports your idea . This is like detective work – you’re finding clues to solve the mystery of the story’s main message.
• Look for Themes: Themes are the big ideas in a story, like friendship, courage, or justice. Sometimes your teacher might give you a heads-up about what themes to look for. Keep track of parts of the story that show these themes. This is like collecting puzzle pieces to see the whole picture.
• Put It All Together: Now for the cool part – take everything you’ve learned about the characters, their actions, and the themes, and mix it all together. This is where you start to see the bigger message the author is trying to tell us. It’s a bit like being a chef, combining ingredients to make an awesome dish.

Remember, figuring out the central idea isn’t just about spotting details – it’s about connecting them to form a bigger picture. And just like any skill, it gets easier and more fun the more you do it. So, dive into your next book and see what you can discover!

Practice Makes Perfect

In addition to the recommended activities above, Albert provides a wide range of texts for students to analyze and interpret. For emerging readers, check out our Short Readings course, which uses short passages to reinforce fundamental reading skills. Readers at all ability levels may enjoy our Leveled Readings course. It offers Lexile® leveled passages focused on a unifying essential question. This allows students to stay on the same page regardless of reading level. Learn more about the Lexile Framework here !

For authentic practice, check out our Essential Readings in Literature course. This course provides an overview of the core texts that American students often read in English class. We break each text down by skill, ensuring that students approach their reading from every angle.

With our easy-to-use interface and informative feedback, Albert.io is the perfect tool for reinforcing close reading skills and helping students develop a deeper understanding of the texts they encounter.

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Central Idea in Literature: Definition, Meaning, and Examples

Krystal N. Craiker

In literature, there are many elements that work together to make a cohesive story. At the heart of each story is the central idea.

The central idea, also called the main idea, is a brief, overall summary of what the entire story is about. Typically, we explain the central idea in one sentence.

The central idea is different from the theme and the message. It’s the backbone of a story’s plot. Let’s take a closer look at what the central idea means in literature.

Central Idea Definition: What Is It in a Story?

Central idea meaning: what does it mean, the importance of a central idea in a story, tips on using central ideas in your story, examples of the central idea of a story, conclusion on central ideas in a story.

The definition of the central idea is a statement that explains the main scenario of a story. All plot lines, supporting details, and conflicts support the central idea.

You can think of the central idea as a very brief summary of a story. In other words, if someone asks what the story is about, the central idea is what you would tell them.

Fairy tales are a great way to understand literary elements. Let’s use Goldilocks and the Three Bears as an example.

The central idea of this story is:

A girl named Goldilocks enters a house in the woods, helps herself to porridge, and breaks furniture, not knowing the house belongs to three bears.

We don’t explore every individual event of the story or even dive into the themes. We briefly summarize the plot and hint that there will be consequences to Goldilocks’ actions. The central idea doesn’t give away “spoilers” by revealing what happens in the story’s climax when the bears come home.

People often confuse the central idea with a story’s theme. These two literary elements are closely related but distinct.

The central idea addresses the main ideas of the plot. The theme, on the other hand, is the unifying element or elements weaved into a story. A literary theme is a generic truth found in many stories. Themes often have a message for readers from the author.

Examples of literary themes include courage, friendship, revenge, and power.

Central ideas are not generic. They are specific to an individual story.

Let’s return to our example of Goldilocks and the Three Bears . The theme is the effect of selfishness on others. There’s a message or moral there too: Be considerate of other people.

You can see how these differ from the central idea statement, which dealt with the story’s main character and plot.

The theme and message all come from the central idea. You can’t have a cohesive story without the central idea as a starting point.

Imagine writing a story is like building a house. When you have a clear central idea for your story, you have laid the foundation. This foundation supports every other part of the story.

The floors and walls of your story are the external conflict, internal conflict, characters, plot elements, setting, and more. The theme is like the electrical system that runs throughout the entire building.

You can’t have a sturdy house without a solid foundation. Likewise, you can’t have a strong story without a clear central idea.

In the Goldilocks story, the plot events, characters, and theme all relate back to our central idea. Imagine if the theme of Goldilocks and the Three Bears was forbidden love overcoming all. That doesn’t fit the story at all! The fable would sound very strange.

Here are a few tips on the most effective ways to use central ideas in your writing.

Write a Strong Central Idea Statement

The stronger your foundation, the sturdier your house. The same goes with a central idea.

You can get the point across with a poorly written central idea statement. In fact, a poorly written central idea is a great starting point.

But spend some time honing your central idea. A well-written central idea will explore not just the main plotline but also touch on underlying themes.

Let’s improve our Goldilocks central idea statement:

A young girl suffers the consequences of her selfish actions after breaking and entering and destroying property in a home owned by three bears.

This central idea still tells us the gist of the story and introduces the main characters, while also touching on the theme of selfishness.

Match the Theme to the Story

Like we discussed above, throwing in a theme about forbidden love to the classic Goldilocks tale won’t fit the story. The themes of a story must be relevant to the central idea.

Most novels or other long-form work have more than one theme expressed in the story. Spend some time figuring out which themes fit your central idea. Then you can plan character arcs , conflicts, or other elements to help you explore that theme.

Start Big, Narrow Down

It’s difficult to sum up an entire story in one or two brief sentences. Start with a big overview then whittle it down to find your central idea.

You can start by writing a synopsis, which is a roughly two-page plot summary. Then try to narrow that down into a paragraph by focusing on the main events and key characters.

Writing a central idea statement from a paragraph is much easier. Keep it short: one or two sentences max.

As an added bonus, you can then use your central idea as your elevator pitch to quickly introduce people to your book.

Your book is likely more complicated than a fairy tale. Let’s look at some examples of central ideas in other works.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Two young, star-crossed lovers cause a deadly war between opposing families when they hastily marry.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the 1920s, Jay Gatsby has achieved great wealth through unsavory means in an attempt to impress the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. Regardless, they are still divided by their differences in social status, rampant materialism, and Daisy’s abusive husband.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A lonely miser named Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to confront his life choices and learn about love and compassion.

Finding the central idea of a story will help you understand how the plot and themes work together. Discovering your own story’s central idea will guide your writing process and help you develop a cohesive story.

Do you want to know how to build a world your readers won’t forget? Download this free book now:

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Krystal N. Craiker is the Writing Pirate, an indie romance author and blog manager at ProWritingAid. She sails the seven internet seas, breaking tropes and bending genres. She has a background in anthropology and education, which brings fresh perspectives to her romance novels. When she’s not daydreaming about her next book or article, you can find her cooking gourmet gluten-free cuisine, laughing at memes, and playing board games. Krystal lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, child, and basset hound.

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Central Idea Mastery: Tips for Identifying Main Themes in Texts

Ever struggled to figure out what a piece of literature is really about?

I have. I’m a math and sciences geek, and English Lit was never my strong suit in school. But I figured out a way to get straight to the central idea.

Studies show that grasping the central idea is one of the most challenging aspects for readers, freelance writers , and in-company writers alike.

This post will take you on a journey to understand clearly what a central idea statement in literature entails, how it differs from themes or thesis statements , and why it matters so much.

Ready for an enlightening ride into the realm of literary analysis? Let’s dive in!

What is the Central Idea in Literature?

The central idea in literature is the main point or message the author wants to convey to the reader. It is often the well written central ideas, expressed through a thesis statement , which serves as the foundation for the entire work of literature.

The central idea statement should be distinct from the story’s theme itself, as it focuses more on the author’s specific argument or perspective. To identify this in literature, readers can analyze key details and keywords as a map and keep their predictions short and straightforward.

The Relationship between Central Idea and Thesis Statement

A central idea is like a map for a story or essay. It guides readers through the words and themes. 

On the other hand, a thesis statement is a claim or argument in an essay, article or research work.

This is often based on the central idea but goes further by giving an opinion about the topic. You can think of these as two good friends. Both play key roles in shaping any piece of writing, and they rely on each other to make sense.

For instance, if you write an essay arguing that reading helps improve vocabulary – your central idea might be ‘the benefits of reading,’ while your thesis statement could be ‘reading regularly improves one’s vocabulary.’

The Difference between Central Idea and Theme

The central idea and theme are two critical parts of a story. They may seem the same but tell different parts of the tale. The main topic or message in a text is the central idea .

It’s like telling what a book or essay is about.

A theme, though, dives deeper into the story. It shows us life lessons or morals that we can learn from it. 

Think of it as an undercover message hiding inside the words and scenes of a story! An easy way to spot them? Central ideas often pop up more in texts that give information.

Themes make their home primarily in stories with lots of action, conflict and drama.

How to Identify the Central Idea in Literature

Use details and keywords as a map.

Words and clues in a story can help find the main idea. Look for words that repeat . They matter a lot to the writer. Think of keywords as signposts on a map. When you use a map when lost, use these words when stuck on an idea.

Stay away from small details that only discuss one thing in the text. Focus on ideas that cover all parts of the story instead. Those tell you what is most important to know.

Keep Predictions Short and Simple

When identifying the central idea statement in literature, keeping your predictions short and simple is essential. By predicting the answer in your own words, you can narrow down the options and eliminate choices that don’t match the passage.

Keeping your predictions brief makes it easier to compare them with the given choices. If you’re having trouble understanding a passage, try summarizing paragraphs or sentences to help clarify things.

Remember, taking it slow and staying calm can improve your performance in the SAT reading and writing section. So, keep those predictions concise and straightforward!

Importance of Central Ideas in Literature

The central ideas in literature play a crucial role in your content strategy and in understanding the text and its deeper meaning, as they serve as the backbone that holds the entire work together.

The Role of Central Ideas in Understanding Literature

The central idea plays a crucial role in helping us understand literature. It acts as the primary focus or point of the text, providing a clear picture of what the author wants to convey.

By identifying and analyzing the central idea, we can better comprehend the overall message and themes of a piece of writing. The well written central idea guides readers, helping them navigate through the details and supporting evidence presented in the text.

It helps us see how all these elements connect to create a cohesive whole.

The Connection between Central Ideas and Details

The connection between central ideas and details in literature is meaningful because the details provide evidence and examples to support and strengthen the central idea. 

Details are specific pieces of information or examples that help to bring the story’s main idea to life and make it more relatable for readers.

By analyzing the central idea and details, readers can engage with the text deeper and uncover hidden meanings and themes. 

A central idea can be explicit, stated directly in the text, or implicit, requiring readers to infer and interpret what the author is trying to convey.

So, paying attention to details helps readers understand and appreciate the overall message of a work of literature.

Central Ideas Examples in Literature

Central ideas in literature can vary greatly depending on the genre and themes explored. 

For instance, classification essays may focus on a central idea related to categorization and justification, while works of English literature might delve into a central idea about societal norms or personal identity.

Additionally, environmental science literature may explore a central idea surrounding sustainability and conservation. These examples demonstrate the diverse range found across different types of literature.

Central Ideas in Classification Essays

The central idea in a classification essay is the main topic and the categories or subtopics we use to organize our thoughts . It’s like a roadmap for our essay, showing us how to structure it and what message we want to convey.

In other words, it’s the same as the thesis statement in a classification essay . 

By stating the main topic and explaining why we’re categorizing things in a certain way, we can say something meaningful about how different parts of the topic are related or how they relate to the whole subject.

So, when writing a classification essay, ensure your central idea is clear and helps guide your readers through your thoughtful categories!

Central Ideas in English Literature

Understanding the central ideas in English literature is crucial for writers. These help us grasp the main themes and messages in literary works. They cover most details and emphasize key points, allowing readers to analyze the text effectively.

When analyzing literature, it’s important to avoid focusing too much on one detail or introducing new ideas not addressed in the text. 

Central ideas play a vital role in answering exam questions like the SAT, where students identify the main idea or specific details based on a passage.

Notable Examples

“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Central Idea: The American Dream and its corruption. This novel delves deep into the idea of the American Dream—the pursuit of happiness, wealth, and social status—and the lengths people go to achieve it. Set in the Roaring Twenties, the story showcases the opulence of the time but also the moral bankruptcy and hollowness that often accompanied the pursuit of wealth and social status. The novel questions the true meaning of success and challenges the superficial values of society.

“ To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

Central Idea: Racism and the loss of innocence. Set in the American South during the 1930s, this novel tackles the deep-seated racial prejudices of the time. Through the eyes of a young girl named Scout Finch, readers witness the injustice and cruelty meted out to a Black man, Tom Robinson, who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. The story also deals with the idea of growing up and losing innocence as Scout and her brother Jem navigate the complexities of their small town’s social structure.

“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger

Central Idea: Adolescent alienation and the challenges of growing up. The novel’s protagonist, Holden Caulfield, represents the quintessential disaffected youth. As he navigates the adult world, which he views as “phony,” he struggles with his own sense of identity, his place in the world, and the impending responsibilities of adulthood. The story is a poignant examination of the complexities of adolescence and the inevitable loss of childhood innocence.

Whether it’s contemporary or classic works, central ideas can be found throughout English literature.

Central Ideas in Environmental Science Literature

The central idea in environmental science literature is essential. It helps us understand the main topic and categories/subtopics discussed in the text. It gives us an overview of what the whole thing is about.

The central idea also helps structure the essay and conveys a message about the topic. So, if you’re writing about environmental science, ensure you have a clear main idea that divides your topic into different parts, helping readers quickly grasp the main points.

One way to find the main idea is by locating the thesis statement in your text.

Tips for Writing a Central Idea

Crafting a strong main idea requires clarity and conciseness. Use clear and specific language to express the main point of your work, ensuring that it is debatable and not just a statement of fact.

Consider the purpose of your writing and the audience you are targeting to shape your central idea effectively.

Formulation of the Central Idea

To formulate a well written central idea, you need to think carefully about the main point or message you want to convey.

When formulating the central idea, make sure it covers most of the details introduced in your text and emphasizes any important points. Avoid focusing too much on just one detail or introducing new ideas not addressed in your writing.

Also, be careful not to contradict any information from your text.

To help with formulation, summarize your text in your own words and determine the task or purpose of your writing. If you need clarification on the story’s main character or idea, revisit your summary to find the overarching theme .

Predicting the answer can also be useful as it helps narrow down choices and eliminate options that don’t align with your writing.

The Purpose of a Central Idea in Literature

The purpose of a central idea in literature is to provide a main theme or message that ties together all the different parts of a literary work. It helps readers understand and grasp the overall meaning and purpose of the text.

When writing a central idea, it’s important to consider the main theme or message, analyze key elements in the text, and think about what the author wants to convey. The central idea should cover most of the details introduced in the text and mention any points of emphasis.

However, it shouldn’t focus too much on just one detail, introduce new ideas not addressed in the text, or contradict information from the text.

Wrapping up the Central Idea

Understanding the central idea in literature is crucial for writers and readers alike. By grasping the main message of a text, we can delve deeper into its themes and analyze it with greater clarity.

Through examples and explanations, this blog has highlighted the importance of central ideas and provided tools to identify them effectively. So go forth, writers, armed with this knowledge, and create works that captivate audiences by conveying powerful central ideas!

1. What is the central idea in literature?

The central idea in literature refers to the main point or theme that the author wants to explain or convey through their story or writing.

2. How can I identify the central idea in a piece of literature?

You can identify the central idea by looking for recurring themes, key messages, and important moments that shape the text’s overall meaning.

3. Why is understanding the central idea important when reading literature?

Understanding the central idea helps you grasp the deeper meaning and purpose behind a piece of literature, allowing you to appreciate its message and connect with it more meaningfully.

4. Can multiple central ideas exist in a single piece of literature?

While some texts may have multiple themes or ideas, there is typically one primary central idea that serves as the core focus of the work.

Content Manager, Marketer and Business Development Expert.

Noel is a full-time content manager, marketer, and business development manager. A 25-year veteran and professional project manager (PMP) as well, Noel enjoys writing about content management, AI and the tools and technology shaping the industry.

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Central Idea

These ideas are too specific to be what the ENTIRE article is about. Instead, those details SUPPORT the central ideas of the text. and conclusion paragraph paragraphs often have a THESIS STATEMENT, which is a main idea sentence that shows what the entire passage is about (similar to your on-demand writings). Learn the concept of Central idea with the help of resources on this page.

The apps, sample questions, videos and worksheets listed below will help you learn Central Idea

Sample questions related to central idea, worksheets on central idea, educational apps on central idea.

Math ELA Grade 5 – Common Core

Main Idea – Sentences: Reading Comprehension Skills & Practice Game for Kids – Common Core Aligned

Educational Videos on Central Idea

What is Central Idea?

Finding the Central Idea

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Related Topics

How do you write a central idea, what is the central idea of the passage, what is the definition of central or main idea.

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Main Idea Finder: Free Summarizing Tool

Add the text to find its main idea:

Number of sentences in the summary:

Condensed version:

Shorter by %

Charachters: Words: Sentences:

If you are looking for a main idea finder, consider using this online summarizing tool. It will condense any paper into a short piece that contains its central idea. All you need to do is:

• 🤔 Why Using the Tool?
• 🆚 Central Idea vs. Theme

👣 Steps to Find the Main Idea

• 🤖 How Do Main Idea Finders Work?

🔗 References

🤔 main idea finder: why using it.

Students often need to analyze loads of literary works to synthesize data and present their findings in academic assignments. Thus, they read tons of articles and books every semester.

Such a hassle, isn’t it?

But the good news is that you can leave this activity out and relax, getting only the gist of every assigned text carefully prepared for you by smart software. It’s the main idea finder – a tool that has made thousands of students’ lives easier and can do the same for you. Using our app, you can easily process large volumes of data and use brief summaries to write reports, literature reviews, and well-grounded analyses.

What Is a Central Idea of a Text?

The central idea is the primary message the author tries to communicate in his text, whether a lengthy book or a short article. Summaries can be long or short, but any piece of literature also has a key point that can be summarized in a single sentence or statement.

How to Find the Main Idea?

At first, it might seem challenging to elicit one main idea in a text, especially if it's long and touches upon many issues. Still, the simplest way to do this is to answer a question, " tell what the author wanted to say in one short sentence. " You can also think of this task as explaining the content to a child in simple terms. The answer will soon surface.

How to Summarize the Main Idea of an Article?

If you were tasked with summarizing the literary work’s idea, focus on the key terms first . What was the subject of the authors’ analysis? What did they want to analyze? Did they succeed? Then produce a summary of the key idea based on the authors’ main focus and approach to that subject.

🆚 Central Idea vs. Theme: What Is the Difference?

The central idea is typically different from the literary piece's theme. The distinction can become clear if you approach the main idea as the topic of a book or an article. It can be elicited even from a title or an abstract, as these parts rarely contradict the rest of the content.

A theme, in turn, is about the meaning that lies under the surface of words and sentences. It is a moral message you can embrace only after careful study of the text and thinking it over.

To illustrate these points, let’s consider a couple of examples. For instance, when talking about The Catcher in the Rye , you will identify:

• Main idea : resistance to coming of age
• Theme : protection of innocence

If you approach Othello, you may note the following:

• Main idea : manipulation and jealousy
• Theme : trust

As you can see, the main idea is closely related to a literary work's theme. Yet, they are subtly different; the main idea refers to the plot more, while the theme concerns the story's moral and life lesson.

There are several effective techniques to find the text’s main idea quickly and correctly. The main helper in this task is a well-established structure of academic texts. It may give you a couple of pointers on where to look for, saving you time and effort. Let’s review these pro tips and see how they work in practice.

Step #1: Look for a Thesis Statement

As a rule, the authors place their central ideas at the end of the introduction. The final sentence of an introductory paragraph is referred to as a thesis statement.

A thesis serves as a roadmap for the entire text , clarifying what the author means to discuss and what point they will argue. Thus, if you find that statement, half of the work is done, as you have the main idea at your fingertips.

Step #2: Mind Topic Sentences

To produce a more extended summary of the author's key ideas, you should also pay attention to the topic sentences spread across the text. These are typically placed at the beginning of each new paragraph.

A topic sentence communicates the paragraph's main idea , while the following sentences are used to strengthen that point and provide additional evidence.

Step #3: The First and Last Sentence Matter

If you're unsure whether you've interpreted the main idea or topic sentence correctly, look at the final sentence of the paragraph as well.

A concluding sentence is a summary that should wrap up the main idea once more before proceeding to the next point. So, a joint analysis of the paragraph's opening and closing sentences will give you a clearer point for a summary.

Step #4: Summarize a Paragraph in One Sentence

Nothing works better than a one-sentence summary . No matter the length of your assigned reading, anything can be explained in one short sentence. Once you perform this exercise, the text’s main idea will surface without a problem.

Step #5: Search for Repeated Keywords

A more nuanced approach is to look for repeated words or their synonyms. Such simple linguistic analysis will also help uncover the main idea and underlying themes.

🔎 How to Find the Main Idea: Example

Finding the text’s main idea shouldn’t be hard if you know where to look for it. Let’s consider an excerpt from Dale Carnegie ’s How to Win Friends and Influence People as an exercise for main idea formulation. Here is the full fragment:

If you tell me how you get your feeling of importance, I'll tell you what you are. That determines your character. That is the most significant thing about you. For example, John D. Rockefeller got his feeling of importance by giving money to erect a modern hospital in Peking, China, to care for millions of poor people whom he had never seen and never would see. Dillinger, on the other hand, got his feeling of importance by being a bandit, a bank robber and killer. When the FBI agents were hunting him, he dashed into a farmhouse up in Minnesota and said, "I'm Dillinger!" Fie was proud of the fact that he was Public Enemy Number One. "I'm not going to hurt you, but I'm Dillinger!" he said. Yes, the one significant difference between Dillinger and Rockefeller is how they got their feeling of importance.

You can locate the main ideas in this fragment using several tips we've outlined above. Here's what you will see if you focus on the topic sentence:

If you tell me how you get your feeling of importance , I'll tell you what you are.

It shows that the fragment will be dedicated to how different people find their feeling of importance and how the latter affects their activities, self-perception, and overall character. Now, we can also take a closer look at the first and last sentences of the paragraph:

If you tell me how you get your feeling of importance , I'll tell you what you are. Yes, the one significant difference between Dillinger and Rockefeller is how they got their feeling of importance .

This approach confirms our initial finding about the “feeling of importance” as the author’s central idea in this paragraph. Dale Carnegie gives two distinct examples – a philanthrope and a criminal – to show that regardless of the person’s activity, the self-derived feeling of importance is central in shaping their characters.

You can also apply the technique of repeated words to elicit the key idea here. A quick review of the paragraph shows the following repeated phrases and their synonyms:

• How you get your feeling of importance
• Significant

So, these phrases show that the main idea is about a search for one's feeling of importance and its significant role in determining one's character, type of activities, and vocation.

🤖 Automatic Main Idea Finders: How Do They Work?

As you can see, eliciting key details and themes in a text is not that hard.

All you need to do is:

• Focus on the topic,
• Read the passage carefully to capture its gist.

But why do this manually and waste so much time if you can use an automatic central idea generator? This machine tool can help you identify the main points in the assigned text. This way, you will have concise summaries outlining the most vital statements, which can speed up your essay work. Let’s have a look at how such an app works.

The tools that can single out main ideas in large texts usually follow the extraction-based principle . The smart algorithm identifies key phrases and words labeled as important in the text, extracting and compiling them into a shorter textual variant. The system uses machine learning techniques that approach summary from the word/phrase classification perspective:

• Frequency distribution of specific words
• Topic words
• Latent semantic analysis
• Discourse-based text analysis
• Bayesian topic models
• Graph models

Besides, you need to indicate the expected length of the summary, which may also affect the scoring criteria and selection of particular words and phrases for the final summary compilation. This way, you receive a concise summarization of content without redundant details; it contains the author's core message.

We hope that this main idea finder will be useful for you. Please try other free tools we offer: summarizer , essay rephraser , paragraph reworder , and thesis finder .

• How to Find the Main Idea With Easy Strategies - YourDictionary
• Theme in Literature: What Is It? - The Balance Careers
• Difference between main idea and theme in literature
• One Sentence Summary
• How to Summarize a Passage With One-Sentence Summary

EL Education Curriculum

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• ELA 2019 G6:M2:U1:L7

Close Read: “William Kamkwamba’s Electric Wind”

In this lesson, daily learning targets, ongoing assessment.

• Technology and Multimedia

Supporting English Language Learners

Materials from previous lessons, new materials, closing & assessments, you are here:.

• ELA 2019 Grade 6
• ELA 2019 G6:M2
• ELA 2019 G6:M2:U1

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Focus Standards:  These are the standards the instruction addresses.

• RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.3, RI.6.4, L.6.4, L.6.5

Supporting Standards:  These are the standards that are incidental—no direct instruction in this lesson, but practice of these standards occurs as a result of addressing the focus standards.

• RI.6.5, RI.6.10, SL.6.1
• I can interpret figurative language to determine meaning in the text. (L.6.5)
• I can determine a central idea in the text and how it is conveyed through particular details. (RI.6.2)
• I can analyze how William is introduced and developed in "William Kamkwamba's Electric Wind." (RI.6.3)
• Opening A: Entrance Ticket (L.6.5)
• Work Time A: Language Dive note-catcher (RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.4, L.6.4, L.6.5)
• Work Time B: Close Read: "William Kamkwamba's Electric Wind" note-catcher (RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.4, L.6.4)
• Work Time B: Analyze Key Individual: William note-catcher (RI.6.1, RI.6.3, RI.6.9, RI.6.10)
• Homework A: Analyze Author Methods and Central Idea: "William Kamkwamba's Electric Wind" (RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.3)
• Prepare Language Dive sentence chunk strips.
• Gather colored markers for annotation work during the Language Dive.
• Strategically group students into triads for the work in this lesson, with at least one strong reader per triad. ▲
• Preview the Close Reading Guide: “William Kamkwamba’s Electric Wind” and Close Read: “William Kamkwamba’s Electric Wind” note-catcher to become familiar with what will be required of students.
• Preview the Language Dive Guide and consider how to invite conversation among students to address the questions and goals suggested under each sentence chunk strip. Select from the questions and goals provided to best meet students’ needs.
• Prepare copies of handouts for students, including entrance ticket (see Materials list).
• Post the learning targets and applicable anchor charts (see Materials list).

Tech and Multimedia

• Work Time B: Students with visual challenges may need a version of the text and note-catchers with larger font and more white space. Consider providing the text and other close reading materials using an online platform such as http://eled.org/0158 so students can adjust the size of the font and the typeface.
• Work Time B: Some typefaces, especially sans serif typefaces, have been shown to ease reading for students with dyslexia. Specifically, the font located at http://eled.org/0170 can be downloaded for free and used to make materials for students with this need.

Supports guided in part by CA ELD Standards 6.I.A.1, 6.I.B.6, 6.I.B.7, 6.I.B.8, 6.II.A.1, 6.II.B.4, 6.II.B.5, and 6.II.C.6.

Important Points in the Lesson Itself

• To support ELLs, this lesson invites students to participate in the first Language Dive and close read of Module 2. The close read features a supplemental informational text about William, which students can compare to the anchor text. Both of these tasks facilitate a deep look at a text or sentence and offer strategies that students can practice when they read other texts on their own.
• ELLs may find it challenging to read about William from a new informational text. At this point in the unit, students have only read from The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind , and thus are most familiar with the style and approach of that text. Remind students that the close read offers support and guidance so that students can understand the central idea(s) and details of what they read. Close reads support slow, careful, and collaborative reading, which is especially helpful for developing readers.
• concocted, desolate, destruction, fashion, felled, mercy (A)
• biogas, seedlings, subheading (DS)

(A): Academic Vocabulary

(DS): Domain-Specific Vocabulary

• Academic word wall (one for display; from Module 1, Unit 1, Lesson 1, Opening A)
• Domain-specific word wall (one for display; from Module 1, Unit 1, Lesson 1, Opening A)
• Close Readers Do These Things anchor chart (one for display; from Module 1, Unit 1, Lesson 4, Opening A)
• Work to Become Effective Learners anchor chart (one for display; from Module 1, Unit 1, Lesson 1, Work Time A)
• Analyze Key Individual: William note-catcher (example for teacher reference) (from Module 2, Unit 1, Lesson 2, Work Time B)
• Author's Methods anchor chart (example for teacher reference) (from Module 2, Unit 1, Lesson 2, Work Time B)
• Author's Methods anchor chart (one for display; from Module 2, Unit 1, Lesson 2, Work Time B)
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (text; one per student; from Module 2, Unit 1, Lesson 1, Work Time A)
• Vocabulary logs (one per student; from Module 1, Unit 1, Lesson 2, Work Time B)
• Dance cards (one per student; from Module 2, Unit 1, Lesson 5, Closing and Assessment A)
• Analyze Key Individual: William note-catcher (one per student; from Module 2, Unit 1, Lesson 2, Work Time B)
• Entrance Ticket: Unit 1, Lesson 7 (answers for teacher reference)
• Language Dive Guide: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind , Page 68 (for teacher reference)
• Language Dive: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind , Page 68 note-catcher (example for teacher reference)
• Language Dive: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind , Page 68 sentence chunk strips (one per student and one for display)
• Close Reading Guide: "William Kamkwamba's Electric Wind" (for teacher reference)
• Close Read: "William Kamkwamba's Electric Wind" note-catcher (answers for teacher reference)
• Homework: Analyze Author Methods and Central Idea: "William Kamkwamba's Electric Wind" (answers for teacher reference) (see Homework Resources)
• Entrance Ticket: Unit 1, Lesson 7 (one per student)
• Colored pencils or markers (green, red, and blue) (one of each per student)
• Language Dive: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind , Page 68 note-catcher (one per student)
• Close Read Text: "William Kamkwamba's Electric Wind" (one per student and one for display)
• Close Read: "William Kamkwamba's Electric Wind" note-catcher (one per student and one for display)
• Homework: Analyze Author Methods and Central Idea: "William Kamkwamba's Electric Wind" (one per student; see Homework Resources)

Each unit in the 6-8 Language Arts Curriculum has two standards-based assessments built in, one mid-unit assessment and one end of unit assessment. The module concludes with a performance task at the end of Unit 3 to synthesize students' understanding of what they accomplished through supported, standards-based writing.

Copyright © 2013-2024 by EL Education, New York, NY.

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The self-storage boom: lifestyle choice or indictment of UK housing crisis?

Lock-ups are being reinvented and marketed as more than just storage amid overcrowding and record rent rises

Forget the gym membership and juicing regime: the new must-have to boost personal wellbeing is a self-storage unit.

At least, that is the call from a new company urging space-squeezed thirtysomething renters to accept that they cannot afford a home with enough cupboards in today’s housing system and instead sweep their clutter into a rented lock-up.

Hold, which is opening five storage sites in London, is trying to persuade householders that spending £270 a month on a lock-up is a lifestyle choice with the potential to “promote feelings of calm and relaxation” and even boost mental health.

The marketing gambit comes as figures show more than 100 storage complexes have opened in British towns and cities in the past three years, and that the sector now generates £1bn a year in revenue. Increasingly, the facilities offer communal areas, hot desking and creative studios to make them a more palatable extension of home.

But the Generation Rent campaign group has now warned that far from being a lifestyle choice that could boost wellbeing, the storage boom should be seen an “indictment of our housing crisis”.

“Self-storage warehouses sprouting everywhere … won’t come close to solving our problems,” said Ben Twomey, Generation Rent’s chief executive. “Homes are the foundations of our lives, so a storage container might be the perfect metaphor for how government inaction is leaving renters out of sight and out of mind.”

New self-storage space equivalent to more than three Canary Wharf towers – or about 6,000 two-bedroom flats – has been opened in the UK in the past year, according to an industry report from the real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield. The sight of storage complexes opening close to small newbuild flats is fast becoming one of the darker ironies of Britain’s struggle to supply enough housing.

This growth in storage sites is being driven by record rises in private rents and increasingly cramped housing; more than 500,000 rented households in England lived in officially overcrowded homes in 2022. The average UK rent increased by 9.2% in the past year, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, the equivalent of an extra £1,300 a year on the average rent in England.

Overcrowding often means children sharing bedrooms with adults, and sometimes beds with one another; more family arguments; teenagers struggling to do their homework; and damage to physical and mental health, a survey by the National Housing Federation found.

“People are living on top of each other and it’s fundamentally unhealthy,” said the founder of Hold, Frederic de Ryckman de Betz, who said he had previously found homeless people trying to live in units. “Separation is very important.”

Hold tells potential customers: “The system has let us down; leaving many of us feeling trapped as we get outpriced and squeezed out. It’s a fact: less space leads to a lower quality of life. How we feel about our personal and work space is deeply connected to our wellbeing. We all need more room to breathe, live, and grow.”

The location of Hold’s first branch, on a north London street that has been described as the “golden mile” of self-storage owing to the large number of new sites, embodies that system failure. It stands on the boundary of the boroughs of Camden and Islington, where average monthly rents are £2,672 and £2,384 respectively, about double the UK average.

On a visit to its first branch this week, the Guardian found Vincent, a professional drummer, practising in a soundproofed tiny unit because he cannot play in his flat. There was also a woman organising a charity library that had grown too large to store at home.

Hold’s approach appears to be to try to build on the decluttering movement pioneered by Marie Kondo, who argues that tidying up possessions can “reset your life”. It is also fitting hotdesk spaces, wifi and rentable music studios, as customers spend more time at the storage.

Renters at other complexes have previously told the Guardian they are using units as a workshop for a woodworking hobby, as a makeshift library, to run an eBay business, as well as for the standard stashing of surplus clothes and furniture. Some said they got a “punch” of satisfaction from seeing all their possessions in one place, while others said it enabled them to “live tiny” – in a van or even a car.

Despite the push to attract younger customers, most self-storage users are between 50 and 70 and often start because of a need to store inherited furniture and possessions after a family bereavement.

Philip Macauley, the head of self-storage at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “It’s still a middle-aged customer, but [operators] are trying to drive it to millennials. It’s the age-old London problem. Flats are getting smaller and with interest rate inflation you can’t afford a two-bed, you have to get a one-bed, and the flip side of that is [renting] self-storage.”

His report predicted “more lifestyle customers … long-term residential customers who genuinely use their self-storage unit as their room away from home, storing different items at different periods of their life”.

But self-storage is not the solution to the housing crisis, said Twomey. He called on the government to “build more homes, fund councils properly to crack down on landlords profiting from overcrowded rentals, and act to slam the brakes on soaring rents”.

• Renting property
• Communities
• Real estate
• Housing market

More on this story

UK rent rises forecast to outpace wage growth for three years

UK failure to build social homes ‘shocking’, says author of 2004 report

UK housing is ‘worst value for money’ of any advanced economy, says thinktank

Almost 10m UK households living in ‘cold, damp, poorly insulated homes’

Almost a third of Tory MPs trying to weaken tenant protection bill are landlords

Private tenants in Scotland ‘face big rent rises and mass evictions’ from April

Michael Gove says no-fault evictions will be banned this year

Ministers’ 99% mortgage idea could overheat UK housing market, say experts

‘It’s so cold’: leaseholders left without central heating in London block

Terminally ill man faces living last days in mould-ridden London flat

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