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.