1. Central Idea, Supporting Details, and Objective Summary
English 7

2. Part One: I can determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text including its relationship to supporting ideas…
Key Vocabulary
DETERMINE: Decide, figure out
CENTRAL IDEA: The chief point an author is making about a topic; the author’s primary message. Sometimes the central idea is stated, but sometimes it must be inferred.
ANALYZE: Study closely; break down into key parts
DEVELOPMENT: The building of an idea/ideas throughout a text.
RELATIONSHIP: A connection between two or more ideas, events, individuals, etc.
SUPPORTING IDEAS: Facts, statements, specifics, and examples that clarify, explain, and describe the central idea.

3. Part One: I can determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text including its relationship to supporting ideas…
To “determine a central idea” of a text means to figure out the author’s main point or message about a topic.
Examine the title and any blurbs included before the body of the text
Pay close attention to the opening and closing paragraphs
What is the topic?
Why has the author written about the topic (purpose—inform, entertain, persuade)?
What point or points has the author made about the topic?

4. Part One: I can determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text including its relationship to supporting ideas…
When you “analyze its [a central idea’s] development over the course of the text including its relationship to supporting ideas” you closely study how the author has built his or her main point/primary message. You find examples in the text that help the author emphasize his or her main point about a topic.
Look at the body paragraphs of the text.
What examples is the author using to make his or her point?
Think about the who, what, when, where, why, and how about the topic.

5. Part Two: [I can] provide an objective summary of the text.
To “provide an objective summary,” you must…
Determine the central idea
Find important details that the author uses to develop the central idea and communicate them in your own words
Be clear, concise, and brief
Leave out minor details and your own personal opinion

6. Writing an objective summary
Step One--Topic Sentence
Name It:
Identify the title of the text and the author.
Use one of the following summary verbs: shows, describes, explains, discusses, explores, illustrates, teaches, etc.
Communicate the author’s central idea.
Step Two—Essential/Key Ideas
Pick 1-2 supporting details from the beginning, middle, and end of the text to show how the author develops the central idea.
USE YOUR OWN WORDS.
Step Three—Concluding Sentence
Wrap up the objective summary.