Name : Syarif Hidayat

SRN : 211120176
Class : 5/A
Subject : Academic Reading
Task : Explain how to find central idea of longer text and give an example!

Steps to Find the Central Idea:

 Read the Text Thoroughly: Begin by reading the entire text carefully. This will give
you a broad understanding of the content and context.
 Identify the Main Points: As you read, look for sentences or paragraphs that stand out
as important or central to the text. Pay attention to repeated ideas or concepts.
 Determine the Author's Purpose: Consider why the author wrote the text. Are they
trying to inform, persuade, entertain, or describe something? Understanding the
author's intent can help you uncover the central idea.
 Look for Supporting Details: Supporting details are pieces of information that help
develop and explain the central idea. They provide evidence and examples to support
the main point.
 Consider the Title and Subheadings: Sometimes, the central idea is hinted at in the
title or subheadings of the text. They can give you clues about what to expect.
 Summarize the Text: Write a brief summary of the text in your own words. This forces
you to distill the main point into a concise statement.
 Ask Questions: If you're still unsure about the central idea, ask yourself questions
like, "What is the author trying to say?" or "What message or lesson is the author
conveying?"

Example: Reading an article titled "The Impact of Climate Change on

Coastal Communities."
 Read the Text: Read the entire article about how rising sea levels and extreme weather
events are affecting coastal communities.
 Identify Main Points: You notice that the article discusses the increased frequency of
hurricanes, the loss of coastal land, and the displacement of communities.
 Determine Author's Purpose: The author's purpose is to inform the reader about the
serious consequences of climate change on coastal communities.
 Look for Supporting Details: Supporting details include statistics on sea-level rise,
interviews with affected residents, and examples of specific coastal areas facing
challenges.
 Consider the Title: The title itself, "The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal
Communities," suggests that the central idea is related to the effects of climate change
on these communities.
 Summarize the Text: The central idea of the article is that climate change is causing
significant and detrimental impacts on coastal communities, leading to increased
vulnerability and displacement.
 Ask Questions: You may ask, "What are the specific consequences discussed in the
article?" or "How are coastal communities coping with these challenges?"