Central Idea vs Main Idea

Define main idea/central idea:

• The moral of the story; the message

• General subject of the text; one or two words

• Who or what the story is about; one sentence

Candy is delicious, but chocolate is my favorite" is a _______.

We buy butter at the store.

• Main Idea

• Topic

What is the central idea of a text?

• The main point the author wants to convey

• A detailed description of characters

• The setting of the story

• The author's writing style

Which of the following best describes the main idea?

• A summary of the text

• The underlying message or theme

• The most important point in a paragraph or passage

• A list of characters

How does the central idea differ from the main idea?

• Central idea is broader and encompasses the entire text, while main idea is specific to a section

• They are the same

• Main idea is broader and encompasses the entire text, while central idea is specific to a section

• Central idea is only found in the introduction

Identify the main idea: 'The rainforests are vital to Earth's ecosystem because they produce oxygen, store carbon dioxide, and house diverse species.'

• Rainforests are important for Earth's ecosystem

• Rainforests are home to diverse species

• Rainforests produce oxygen

• Rainforests store carbon dioxide

What question does the main idea answer?

• Who is the main character?

• What is the text mostly about?

• Where does the story take place?

• When does the story happen?

Which sentence is most likely to express the central idea of a paragraph?

• The Amazon rainforest is located in South America.

• Deforestation in the Amazon is a major environmental concern.

• Many animals live in the Amazon rainforest.

• The Amazon rainforest is a large tropical forest.

In literary analysis, how is the central idea used?

• To summarize the plot

• To analyze the author's purpose

• To identify the theme

• To critique the writing style