1. Central Idea & Supporting Details
6th Grade ELA/Reading
Ashworth Middle School

2. What is the central (main) idea?
Definition:
The most important point an author makes in his or her writing.
How to:
Ask these questions to locate the central idea:
-What is the main point an author makes?
-What is the most important idea?
-What idea summarizes the entire text?
-What is the author’s message?

3. What is a stated central (main) idea?
Definition:
-An idea that is clearly stated in the passage.
-Right there in the text for me to locate.
How to:
Easy to find; usually can be found as part of a sentence at the beginning or end of a passage

4. What is an implied central (main) idea?
Definition:
An idea that is NOT directly stated in the passage.
How to:
Challenging to find; you have to read carefully, pay attention to details, and determine it based on textual evidence.

5. My examples: Stated & Implied Central Ideas

6. My examples: Stated & Implied Central Ideas
In this passage, the central idea is implied:
Airplanes are such a common form of travel that it’s easy to forget just how recently they were invented.
In this passage, the central idea is stated:
Summer vacation is the best time of the year.

7. What are supporting details?
Definition:
-Pieces of information that elaborate and support the central point the author is going to make. There are two kinds: factual and sensory.
How to:
-Locate at least 2-3 pieces of information that the author uses to elaborate the central point.

8. What are factual supporting details?
Definition:
-Details that are facts.
-They are used to explain and clarify points about the central idea and could be proven with an outside source.
How to:
Find details that answer the where where, when, why, who, what, which, and how about the central idea.

9. What are sensory supporting details?
Definition:
-Details that give readers a vivid image of the places and people an author writes about
-Uses the five senses
How to:
Find details that describe how something sounds, feels, looks, smells, or tastes.

10. My examples: Stated & Implied Central Ideas
In this passage, the supporting details are mainly factual:
He barks at things like garbage cans and mailboxes. Jazzy, sometimes, snores in his sleep.
1. Jazzy is a funny dog. He barks at things like garbage cans and mailboxes. Jazzy, sometimes, snores in his sleep.
2 Chocolate chip cookies are wonderful. When they come out of the oven, they are warm, sweet, and soft.
In this passage, the supporting details are mainly sensory:
When they come out of the oven, they are warm, sweet, and soft.