CENTRAL IDEA, SUPPORTING DETAILS,

AND OBJECTIVE SUMMARY

CLASS NOTES
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.
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?
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.
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
WRITING AN OBJECTIVE SUMMARY

• Step One--Topic Sentence

• Name It:
a. Identify the title of the text and the author.
b. Use one of the following summary verbs: shows, describes, explains,
discusses, explores, illustrates, teaches, etc.
c. 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.