CENTRAL IDEA
(MAIN IDEA OF
INFORMATIONAL
TEXT)
CCSS RI 7.2 Determine two or more central ideas
in a text.
CCSS RI 7.1 Cite several pieces of textual
evidence to support analysis of what the text says.
BOXING: GLAMOUR OR DANGER?
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Rocky: The Game
WHAT IS CENTRAL IDEA?
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What something is mostly about (main idea)
Main idea-literature
 Central idea-informational text
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Informational text: nonfiction
Can include printed text such as articles,
memoirs, biographies, autobiographies or
audio/video media that provides information
HOW TO FIND THE CENTRAL IDEA….
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Use the WIN strategy.
 WHO/WHAT?- Determine the most important
who/what.
 INFORMATION- Figure out the most
important information about the who/what.
 NUMBER OF WORDS- Write the central/main
idea using the fewest possible number of words.
USE TEXT FEATURES TO HELP FIND THE
CENTRAL IDEA.
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Text Features
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Bold faced headings or titles
Repeated words
Parenthesis
Illustrations/Photographs
Captions
Diagrams
Text box
Bullets/List
ALSO THINK ABOUT
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Purpose: Why was this text written?
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To inform
To describe
To explain
To explore (an idea/concept)
To tell (what happened)
To argue (an issue)
LET’S TRY!
Boxing is one of the world’s most popular sports entertaining
people of all ages. In its most recent years, it has come under many
criticisms. This is because of the various effects boxing can cause. It can
cause: brain damage, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other syndromes. Here
are a few statistics: 15-20% of boxers ending a professional career develop
the punch-drunk syndrome. This syndrome consists of intellectual
deterioration, loss of memory, slurred speech and difficulty in walking.
Boxing can also effect the time of death; as for a professional boxer, death
occurs somewhat 10 to 15 years earlier than average. This is more than
enough to give boxing a bad name. When the head is knocked sideways, the
brain swirls in the skull, its layers shearing and sliding off one another,
tearing vital nerve fibers. This is how the effects of boxing can be caused and
this is what the people that are against boxing distinguish as a brutal
damage to human beings. Yet, it is up to the boxers themselves to choose
whether or not to go into the fight.
READ ANOTHER TEXT
Look at the article, “Muhammad Ali and His
Battle.”
 Read and write down the following in your notes:
 Who/What?
 Most important information?
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WRITE A CENTRAL IDEA.
In one sentence, write a central idea statement.
 Provide at least one detail to support.
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Share Time
REFLECTION
As a group, discuss the following question.
 Be prepared to share with the class.
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Which was harder to determine, the theme in the
short story “Amigo Brothers” or the central idea
in the informational text?
ON YOUR OWN (IN GROUPS)
Read the article titled “How Dangerous Is Boxing
for the Brain.”
 Determine a central idea.
 Provide 1-2 pieces of evidence that support your
central idea.
 Chart your responses on the chart paper and
hang on the wall.
 Be prepared to provide feedback to other groups
using sticky notes.
 “I wonder….” or “I notice…”
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REFLECTION
Wonderings and notices!
 What is central idea?
 How is it similar to theme?
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