Central Idea (Nonfiction) 6th Grade Advanced Language Arts Ms. Currie

What is a central idea? The author’s main point in a non-fiction piece Can be directly stated or implied Should be supported by every detail in the work What is a central idea?

A stated central idea is often found early in the piece Example : Adopting a grown-up dog is better than adopting a puppy. Grown- up dogs have developed their personalities and need less care and training than puppies. Stated central idea

Implied central idea If the central idea is just suggested or implied, it is usually determined through the supporting details. Example: When you adopt a grown-up dog from a shelter, you know what the dog’s personality is like. You can also see how large the dog has grown. In addition, you can tell if the dog has had any training. This example does not state the central idea. All of the sentences, however, state the advantages of adopting a grown-up dog instead of a puppy.

Types of Supporting Details Facts are statements that can be proven to be true. Example: There are 17 penguin species. Types of Supporting Details Personal experiences are firsthand accounts of events in a person’s life. Example: After the first lesson, I realized that fencing was more difficult than it looked. Examples are specific illustrations of a general idea. Example: This is the state’s most poplar race. Each year more than 35,000 runners compete.

Types of Supporting Details Quotations are word-for-word reports of what someone said. Example: The principal said, “We will do our best to meet this challenge.” Types of Supporting Details Descriptions are details that tell how someone or something looked, felt, sounded, and so on. Example: She was a remarkably good soccer player – quick, strong, and decisive. Comparisons are statements that point out the similarities or differences between different people, places, or things. Example: Hacking people’s e-mail is like stealing letters from their mailboxes.