central idea of essay

You can turn a subject into a central idea by focusing. Begin by reviewing what you know about your subject or by looking over notes you have made about it through listing, brainstorming, clustering, freewriting, or other prewriting activities.

With these details fresh in your mind, ask yourself:

What is my purpose in writing about this topic? What main point do I want to make about the topic?

WHAT IS MY PURPOSE?

Let's say you decide to write about high school. You might tell a story about your history class, compare two schools you attended, or argue that high schools should require foreign-language study.

If you want to compare the two high schools you attended, you can include details about their academic programs, athletic teams, students, or teachers. But you probably wouldn't argue that high schools should stay open in summer because doing so would take you outside your declared purpose.

WHAT IS MY MAIN POINT?

The next step in focusing is to decide what to say about your subject. What is the most interesting or important point you want to make about the schools you are comparing? The answer will be your main point, which ties all the details of the essay together.

Again, you turn an abstract subject into a central idea by stating a main point about that subject. If your main point is that entering a new school improved your attitude about education, your central idea might read:

Changing high schools made me a more serious student.

MAKING A POINT ABOUT A SUBJECT

In the box below, main points have been added to subjects to form working topic sentences or thesis statements.

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CHECK YOUR WORKING CENTRAL IDEA

After writing a working central idea, check it for qualities that will make it effective as the basis of a paragraph or essay. Ask yourself:

Is my central idea expressed in a complete thought? Is it specific? Does it express an idea that is worth developing in a full-length paragraph or essay? Is it limited enough to discuss in a short piece of writing?

Never confuse a central idea with a simple subject. Central ideas are expressed in complete sentences; subjects are words or phrases. Take these subjects:

The city zoo. Professional athletes. Majoring in foreign languages.

Can you write a paragraph or essay on one of these subjects? Only if you decide on the main point you want to make about it. Try these as working central ideas:

The city zoo is in great need of repairs. Professional athletes are overpaid. Studying foreign languages leads to many career choices.

A CENTRAL IDEA IS SPECIFIC

Make your central idea specific. The key to this step is to focus your main point as precisely as you can. That will give you a clear direction to follow as you develop an essay or paragraph. Take this central idea:

Jogging isn't for everybody.

It is correct, but it leaves questions unanswered. For example, what kind of people should not jog? What ill effects might jogging cause them? Now, try this:

Jogging can be harmful to people who suffer from heart, back, or joint problems.

A CENTRAL IDEA CONTAINS A MAIN POINT THAT IS WORTH DEVELOPING

Make sure your main point is an idea-not just a fact-that is worth developing in a full-length paragraph or essay. Read these two sentences:

The War Memorial is in Ottawa. The War Memorial has been severely vandalized.

The first sentence is a statement of fact; it does not call for discussion. The second lends itself to discussion. For example, you might describe what the vandals did, explain how much repairs will cost, or discuss ways to prevent future problems.

A CENTRAL IDEA IS LIMITED

Essays that beginning college or university students write usually contain approximately five to seven paragraphs of about 50 to 100 words. Therefore, you should limit your working topic sentence or thesis, making it as specific as you can. Otherwise, you won't be able to make your point clearly and completely.

LIMIT THE DISCUSSION TO A MANAGEABLE LENGTH

Let's say you want to convince someone to stop smoking. You might limit yourself to three reasons to stop smoking: the health risks, the costs, and its effects on others.

Here's your working thesis:

Break the habit: otherwise, it will ruin your health, empty your wallet, and annoy your friends.

Your working topic sentences, which will control the three body paragraphs, could be as follows:

Smoking causes cancer, emphysema, and heart disease. You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year by quitting. Smoking is offensive to friends and family.

LIMITING YOUR CENTRAL IDEA FURTHER

You begin a rough draft by discussing illnesses caused by smoking. However, you soon realize that you can't cover all three reasons for quitting and still keep the essay short. So you limit yourself to the issue of health risks.

Your thesis statement becomes:

Break the habit: smoking causes heart disease, emphysema, and cancer.

Your topic sentences become:

Smoking weakens the heart and impairs circulation. Smoking is a major cause of emphysema. Smoking has been linked directly to cancer of the mouth and the esophagus.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A TOPIC SENTENCE AND A THESIS

A topic sentence is the sentence that expresses the central idea of a paragraph. A thesis statement is a sentence that expresses the central idea of an essay.

It's a good idea to decide the topic sentence of a paragraph after writing the working version of an essay's thesis. A topic sentence explains one aspect or point in the thesis and, therefore, should always be more specific and limited than a thesis.

REVISE AND REFINE THE CENTRAL IDEA AS YOU WORK

You can revise a central idea whenever you need to. The working version of a topic sentence or thesis statement provides only a starting point and a sense of direction. Don't be afraid to look back to your central ideas and rewrite them often. As a matter of fact, focusing is something you should do throughout the writing process.

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Central Idea in Literature: Definition, Meaning, and Examples

Krystal N. Craiker

In literature, there are many elements that work together to make a cohesive story. At the heart of each story is the central idea.

The central idea, also called the main idea, is a brief, overall summary of what the entire story is about. Typically, we explain the central idea in one sentence.

The central idea is different from the theme and the message. It’s the backbone of a story’s plot. Let’s take a closer look at what the central idea means in literature.

Central Idea Definition: What Is It in a Story?

Central idea meaning: what does it mean, the importance of a central idea in a story, tips on using central ideas in your story, examples of the central idea of a story, conclusion on central ideas in a story.

The definition of the central idea is a statement that explains the main scenario of a story. All plot lines, supporting details, and conflicts support the central idea.

You can think of the central idea as a very brief summary of a story. In other words, if someone asks what the story is about, the central idea is what you would tell them.

Fairy tales are a great way to understand literary elements. Let’s use Goldilocks and the Three Bears as an example.

The central idea of this story is:

A girl named Goldilocks enters a house in the woods, helps herself to porridge, and breaks furniture, not knowing the house belongs to three bears.

We don’t explore every individual event of the story or even dive into the themes. We briefly summarize the plot and hint that there will be consequences to Goldilocks’ actions. The central idea doesn’t give away “spoilers” by revealing what happens in the story’s climax when the bears come home.

People often confuse the central idea with a story’s theme. These two literary elements are closely related but distinct.

The central idea addresses the main ideas of the plot. The theme, on the other hand, is the unifying element or elements weaved into a story. A literary theme is a generic truth found in many stories. Themes often have a message for readers from the author.

Examples of literary themes include courage, friendship, revenge, and power.

Central ideas are not generic. They are specific to an individual story.

Let’s return to our example of Goldilocks and the Three Bears . The theme is the effect of selfishness on others. There’s a message or moral there too: Be considerate of other people.

You can see how these differ from the central idea statement, which dealt with the story’s main character and plot.

The theme and message all come from the central idea. You can’t have a cohesive story without the central idea as a starting point.

Imagine writing a story is like building a house. When you have a clear central idea for your story, you have laid the foundation. This foundation supports every other part of the story.

The floors and walls of your story are the external conflict, internal conflict, characters, plot elements, setting, and more. The theme is like the electrical system that runs throughout the entire building.

You can’t have a sturdy house without a solid foundation. Likewise, you can’t have a strong story without a clear central idea.

In the Goldilocks story, the plot events, characters, and theme all relate back to our central idea. Imagine if the theme of Goldilocks and the Three Bears was forbidden love overcoming all. That doesn’t fit the story at all! The fable would sound very strange.

Here are a few tips on the most effective ways to use central ideas in your writing.

Write a Strong Central Idea Statement

The stronger your foundation, the sturdier your house. The same goes with a central idea.

You can get the point across with a poorly written central idea statement. In fact, a poorly written central idea is a great starting point.

But spend some time honing your central idea. A well-written central idea will explore not just the main plotline but also touch on underlying themes.

Let’s improve our Goldilocks central idea statement:

A young girl suffers the consequences of her selfish actions after breaking and entering and destroying property in a home owned by three bears.

This central idea still tells us the gist of the story and introduces the main characters, while also touching on the theme of selfishness.

Match the Theme to the Story

Like we discussed above, throwing in a theme about forbidden love to the classic Goldilocks tale won’t fit the story. The themes of a story must be relevant to the central idea.

Most novels or other long-form work have more than one theme expressed in the story. Spend some time figuring out which themes fit your central idea. Then you can plan character arcs , conflicts, or other elements to help you explore that theme.

Start Big, Narrow Down

It’s difficult to sum up an entire story in one or two brief sentences. Start with a big overview then whittle it down to find your central idea.

You can start by writing a synopsis, which is a roughly two-page plot summary. Then try to narrow that down into a paragraph by focusing on the main events and key characters.

Writing a central idea statement from a paragraph is much easier. Keep it short: one or two sentences max.

As an added bonus, you can then use your central idea as your elevator pitch to quickly introduce people to your book.

Your book is likely more complicated than a fairy tale. Let’s look at some examples of central ideas in other works.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Two young, star-crossed lovers cause a deadly war between opposing families when they hastily marry.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the 1920s, Jay Gatsby has achieved great wealth through unsavory means in an attempt to impress the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. Regardless, they are still divided by their differences in social status, rampant materialism, and Daisy’s abusive husband.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A lonely miser named Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to confront his life choices and learn about love and compassion.

Finding the central idea of a story will help you understand how the plot and themes work together. Discovering your own story’s central idea will guide your writing process and help you develop a cohesive story.

Do you want to know how to build a world your readers won’t forget? Download this free book now:

World-Building 101: How to Construct an Unforgettable World for your Fantasy or Sci-Fi Story!

This guide is for all the writers out there who want to construct an unforgettable world that your readers can't help but get lost in, learn how to invent species, gods, monsters and more in our immersive guide..

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Krystal N. Craiker is the Writing Pirate, an indie romance author and blog manager at ProWritingAid. She sails the seven internet seas, breaking tropes and bending genres. She has a background in anthropology and education, which brings fresh perspectives to her romance novels. When she’s not daydreaming about her next book or article, you can find her cooking gourmet gluten-free cuisine, laughing at memes, and playing board games. Krystal lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, child, and basset hound.

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Reading Skills

Finding the central idea.

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: December 27, 2023

What We Review

Introduction

Understanding the central idea in reading is an essential skill for comprehending both literary and informational texts. Think of it as the heart of what the author wants to tell us. It’s not just the subject of the text but the key message or argument the author is presenting.

In articles or speeches, you might find this main idea in the first few sentences. But when it comes to novels or stories, it’s a bit like a puzzle. You’ll need to connect the dots throughout and sometimes even after you’ve finished reading to really grasp it.

In this blog post, we’re going to explore some great ways to identify this central idea, and we’ll try out some activities to practice this skill. Are you ready to get started? Let’s jump right in!

Defining Central Idea

The central idea of a text is not quite the same as the topic or theme. But that does not mean that both things are not important! In fact, being familiar with both the topic and theme is a stepping stone to grasping the central idea.

For example, take Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice . One of the initial topics is Antonio’s venture trading. Another possible topic is Antonio’s melancholy, but more is needed to understand the play’s central idea. As the play continues, the theme of Antisemitism is apparent in Antonio’s treatment of Shylock, the Jewish money-lender. However, there are so many other themes present! Love, deception, and marriage also feature – the theme alone does not accurately represent the central idea. 

Looking at the play as a whole allows us to understand Shakespeare’s broader message about the human experience. For instance, a possible central idea in The Merchant of Venice is how it exposes the hypocrisy in both Christian and Jewish communities, showing how neither is morally superior despite their claims.

Additionally, a text can have several messages or central ideas expressed throughout the text, and Shakespeare is no exception to this.

The play suggests that these concepts are intertwined. In the climax, when Portia, disguised as a lawyer, serves justice to Shylock, it’s more than he bargained for. Meanwhile, Antonio, who was at risk of death, receives mercy. This twist of events highlights that mercy can sometimes be a form of justice, and vice versa, as seen when Antonio shows mercy to Shylock through his daughter, Jessica.

Strategies for Identifying the Central Idea

To find the central idea in a text, it’s essential to practice close reading , which means reading the text multiple times, each time with a different focus. Here’s how it works:

• Preview the Text: Start by quickly going through the text to get a general idea of what it’s about. Look at things like headings, opening sentences, or any images or graphs.
• First Reading – Basic Understanding: Now, read the text more thoroughly to understand what it’s saying. This is where you get a grip on the main topics and the basic storyline or arguments.
• Second Reading – Deeper Understanding: Read the text again, but this time, pay attention to the key ideas and details. Think about how different parts of the text connect to each other.
• Third Reading – Author’s Purpose and Perspective: In this reading, try to understand why the author wrote the text and their viewpoint. What are they trying to tell us? Why do they think this topic is important?
• Identifying the Central Idea: After these readings, use everything you’ve gathered to figure out the central idea. This is where you put together the main messages from the text and understand what the author wants to say about life or the human experience.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to dive deep into a text and really understand not just what it’s about but what message the author is trying to convey.

Drawing Conclusions about the Central Idea

To accurately understand the central idea of a text, it’s important to analyze key elements systematically. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

• Understand the Plot: Make sure you have a clear grasp of the story’s events. What happens and in what order?
• Review the Characters: Focus on the characters, especially those who undergo significant changes. How and why do they change throughout the story?
• Analyze Character Motivations and Actions: Consider what drives these characters. How do their motivations and actions highlight the main themes or key ideas in the text?
• Link Themes to Character Development: Connect the dots between what motivates the characters and the broader themes of the story. This will help you form a clearer picture of the central idea.

For example, The Merchant of Venice characterizes Shylock as a greedy, vengeful money-lender bent on punishing Antonio for mistreating him. He maintains this character until he receives his verdict from Portia, which condemns him, instead of his enemy, for plotting to murder another Venetian. This verdict changes him into a sorrowful, broken man.

Shylock’s actions reveal that the theme of justice, in Shylock’s eyes, is merely vengeance. When Portia enters the scene, however, she brings with her the notion of the coexistence of justice and mercy. The final events of the play reveal the error of Shylock’s vengeance and how Shakespeare believed justice should be delivered alongside mercy. 

Classroom Application

There are many things you can do to identify the central ideas in a text. Here are some tips to help you uncover the central idea in any text you’re reading:

• Keep an Eye on the Characters: Pay attention to what the characters in the story are doing and why they’re doing it. As you read, jot down notes about their actions and motives. This will help you understand them better.
• Back Up Your Ideas with Evidence: When you have a thought about a character or something that’s happening in the story, don’t just keep it in your head. Find a sentence or a scene in the book that supports your idea . This is like detective work – you’re finding clues to solve the mystery of the story’s main message.
• Look for Themes: Themes are the big ideas in a story, like friendship, courage, or justice. Sometimes your teacher might give you a heads-up about what themes to look for. Keep track of parts of the story that show these themes. This is like collecting puzzle pieces to see the whole picture.
• Put It All Together: Now for the cool part – take everything you’ve learned about the characters, their actions, and the themes, and mix it all together. This is where you start to see the bigger message the author is trying to tell us. It’s a bit like being a chef, combining ingredients to make an awesome dish.

Remember, figuring out the central idea isn’t just about spotting details – it’s about connecting them to form a bigger picture. And just like any skill, it gets easier and more fun the more you do it. So, dive into your next book and see what you can discover!

Practice Makes Perfect

In addition to the recommended activities above, Albert provides a wide range of texts for students to analyze and interpret. For emerging readers, check out our Short Readings course, which uses short passages to reinforce fundamental reading skills. Readers at all ability levels may enjoy our Leveled Readings course. It offers Lexile® leveled passages focused on a unifying essential question. This allows students to stay on the same page regardless of reading level. Learn more about the Lexile Framework here !

For authentic practice, check out our Essential Readings in Literature course. This course provides an overview of the core texts that American students often read in English class. We break each text down by skill, ensuring that students approach their reading from every angle.

With our easy-to-use interface and informative feedback, Albert.io is the perfect tool for reinforcing close reading skills and helping students develop a deeper understanding of the texts they encounter.

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Central Idea Mastery: Tips for Identifying Main Themes in Texts

Ever struggled to figure out what a piece of literature is really about?

I have. I’m a math and sciences geek, and English Lit was never my strong suit in school. But I figured out a way to get straight to the central idea.

Studies show that grasping the central idea is one of the most challenging aspects for readers, freelance writers , and in-company writers alike.

This post will take you on a journey to understand clearly what a central idea statement in literature entails, how it differs from themes or thesis statements , and why it matters so much.

Ready for an enlightening ride into the realm of literary analysis? Let’s dive in!

What is the Central Idea in Literature?

The central idea in literature is the main point or message the author wants to convey to the reader. It is often the well written central ideas, expressed through a thesis statement , which serves as the foundation for the entire work of literature.

The central idea statement should be distinct from the story’s theme itself, as it focuses more on the author’s specific argument or perspective. To identify this in literature, readers can analyze key details and keywords as a map and keep their predictions short and straightforward.

The Relationship between Central Idea and Thesis Statement

A central idea is like a map for a story or essay. It guides readers through the words and themes. 

On the other hand, a thesis statement is a claim or argument in an essay, article or research work.

This is often based on the central idea but goes further by giving an opinion about the topic. You can think of these as two good friends. Both play key roles in shaping any piece of writing, and they rely on each other to make sense.

For instance, if you write an essay arguing that reading helps improve vocabulary – your central idea might be ‘the benefits of reading,’ while your thesis statement could be ‘reading regularly improves one’s vocabulary.’

The Difference between Central Idea and Theme

The central idea and theme are two critical parts of a story. They may seem the same but tell different parts of the tale. The main topic or message in a text is the central idea .

It’s like telling what a book or essay is about.

A theme, though, dives deeper into the story. It shows us life lessons or morals that we can learn from it. 

Think of it as an undercover message hiding inside the words and scenes of a story! An easy way to spot them? Central ideas often pop up more in texts that give information.

Themes make their home primarily in stories with lots of action, conflict and drama.

How to Identify the Central Idea in Literature

Use details and keywords as a map.

Words and clues in a story can help find the main idea. Look for words that repeat . They matter a lot to the writer. Think of keywords as signposts on a map. When you use a map when lost, use these words when stuck on an idea.

Stay away from small details that only discuss one thing in the text. Focus on ideas that cover all parts of the story instead. Those tell you what is most important to know.

Keep Predictions Short and Simple

When identifying the central idea statement in literature, keeping your predictions short and simple is essential. By predicting the answer in your own words, you can narrow down the options and eliminate choices that don’t match the passage.

Keeping your predictions brief makes it easier to compare them with the given choices. If you’re having trouble understanding a passage, try summarizing paragraphs or sentences to help clarify things.

Remember, taking it slow and staying calm can improve your performance in the SAT reading and writing section. So, keep those predictions concise and straightforward!

Importance of Central Ideas in Literature

The central ideas in literature play a crucial role in your content strategy and in understanding the text and its deeper meaning, as they serve as the backbone that holds the entire work together.

The Role of Central Ideas in Understanding Literature

The central idea plays a crucial role in helping us understand literature. It acts as the primary focus or point of the text, providing a clear picture of what the author wants to convey.

By identifying and analyzing the central idea, we can better comprehend the overall message and themes of a piece of writing. The well written central idea guides readers, helping them navigate through the details and supporting evidence presented in the text.

It helps us see how all these elements connect to create a cohesive whole.

The Connection between Central Ideas and Details

The connection between central ideas and details in literature is meaningful because the details provide evidence and examples to support and strengthen the central idea. 

Details are specific pieces of information or examples that help to bring the story’s main idea to life and make it more relatable for readers.

By analyzing the central idea and details, readers can engage with the text deeper and uncover hidden meanings and themes. 

A central idea can be explicit, stated directly in the text, or implicit, requiring readers to infer and interpret what the author is trying to convey.

So, paying attention to details helps readers understand and appreciate the overall message of a work of literature.

Central Ideas Examples in Literature

Central ideas in literature can vary greatly depending on the genre and themes explored. 

For instance, classification essays may focus on a central idea related to categorization and justification, while works of English literature might delve into a central idea about societal norms or personal identity.

Additionally, environmental science literature may explore a central idea surrounding sustainability and conservation. These examples demonstrate the diverse range found across different types of literature.

Central Ideas in Classification Essays

The central idea in a classification essay is the main topic and the categories or subtopics we use to organize our thoughts . It’s like a roadmap for our essay, showing us how to structure it and what message we want to convey.

In other words, it’s the same as the thesis statement in a classification essay . 

By stating the main topic and explaining why we’re categorizing things in a certain way, we can say something meaningful about how different parts of the topic are related or how they relate to the whole subject.

So, when writing a classification essay, ensure your central idea is clear and helps guide your readers through your thoughtful categories!

Central Ideas in English Literature

Understanding the central ideas in English literature is crucial for writers. These help us grasp the main themes and messages in literary works. They cover most details and emphasize key points, allowing readers to analyze the text effectively.

When analyzing literature, it’s important to avoid focusing too much on one detail or introducing new ideas not addressed in the text. 

Central ideas play a vital role in answering exam questions like the SAT, where students identify the main idea or specific details based on a passage.

Notable Examples

“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Central Idea: The American Dream and its corruption. This novel delves deep into the idea of the American Dream—the pursuit of happiness, wealth, and social status—and the lengths people go to achieve it. Set in the Roaring Twenties, the story showcases the opulence of the time but also the moral bankruptcy and hollowness that often accompanied the pursuit of wealth and social status. The novel questions the true meaning of success and challenges the superficial values of society.

“ To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

Central Idea: Racism and the loss of innocence. Set in the American South during the 1930s, this novel tackles the deep-seated racial prejudices of the time. Through the eyes of a young girl named Scout Finch, readers witness the injustice and cruelty meted out to a Black man, Tom Robinson, who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. The story also deals with the idea of growing up and losing innocence as Scout and her brother Jem navigate the complexities of their small town’s social structure.

“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger

Central Idea: Adolescent alienation and the challenges of growing up. The novel’s protagonist, Holden Caulfield, represents the quintessential disaffected youth. As he navigates the adult world, which he views as “phony,” he struggles with his own sense of identity, his place in the world, and the impending responsibilities of adulthood. The story is a poignant examination of the complexities of adolescence and the inevitable loss of childhood innocence.

Whether it’s contemporary or classic works, central ideas can be found throughout English literature.

Central Ideas in Environmental Science Literature

The central idea in environmental science literature is essential. It helps us understand the main topic and categories/subtopics discussed in the text. It gives us an overview of what the whole thing is about.

The central idea also helps structure the essay and conveys a message about the topic. So, if you’re writing about environmental science, ensure you have a clear main idea that divides your topic into different parts, helping readers quickly grasp the main points.

One way to find the main idea is by locating the thesis statement in your text.

Tips for Writing a Central Idea

Crafting a strong main idea requires clarity and conciseness. Use clear and specific language to express the main point of your work, ensuring that it is debatable and not just a statement of fact.

Consider the purpose of your writing and the audience you are targeting to shape your central idea effectively.

Formulation of the Central Idea

To formulate a well written central idea, you need to think carefully about the main point or message you want to convey.

When formulating the central idea, make sure it covers most of the details introduced in your text and emphasizes any important points. Avoid focusing too much on just one detail or introducing new ideas not addressed in your writing.

Also, be careful not to contradict any information from your text.

To help with formulation, summarize your text in your own words and determine the task or purpose of your writing. If you need clarification on the story’s main character or idea, revisit your summary to find the overarching theme .

Predicting the answer can also be useful as it helps narrow down choices and eliminate options that don’t align with your writing.

The Purpose of a Central Idea in Literature

The purpose of a central idea in literature is to provide a main theme or message that ties together all the different parts of a literary work. It helps readers understand and grasp the overall meaning and purpose of the text.

When writing a central idea, it’s important to consider the main theme or message, analyze key elements in the text, and think about what the author wants to convey. The central idea should cover most of the details introduced in the text and mention any points of emphasis.

However, it shouldn’t focus too much on just one detail, introduce new ideas not addressed in the text, or contradict information from the text.

Wrapping up the Central Idea

Understanding the central idea in literature is crucial for writers and readers alike. By grasping the main message of a text, we can delve deeper into its themes and analyze it with greater clarity.

Through examples and explanations, this blog has highlighted the importance of central ideas and provided tools to identify them effectively. So go forth, writers, armed with this knowledge, and create works that captivate audiences by conveying powerful central ideas!

1. What is the central idea in literature?

The central idea in literature refers to the main point or theme that the author wants to explain or convey through their story or writing.

2. How can I identify the central idea in a piece of literature?

You can identify the central idea by looking for recurring themes, key messages, and important moments that shape the text’s overall meaning.

3. Why is understanding the central idea important when reading literature?

Understanding the central idea helps you grasp the deeper meaning and purpose behind a piece of literature, allowing you to appreciate its message and connect with it more meaningfully.

4. Can multiple central ideas exist in a single piece of literature?

While some texts may have multiple themes or ideas, there is typically one primary central idea that serves as the core focus of the work.

Content Manager, Marketer and Business Development Expert.

Noel is a full-time content manager, marketer, and business development manager. A 25-year veteran and professional project manager (PMP) as well, Noel enjoys writing about content management, AI and the tools and technology shaping the industry.

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Read Like This: Central Ideas and Supporting Details in Texts

• Show/Hide Line Reader

Learn It Part 1

• Learn It Part 2
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A variety of strategies and text features can help improve informational text reading skills.

The central idea is the big idea or the most important message that the author is trying to convey. It is the unifying element of a story, which ties together all of the other elements of fiction used by the author to tell the story. Determining the central idea will help you to understand and analyze what you are reading. The overall central idea of a text emerges through smaller central ideas and supporting key details that are conveyed through the development of the text.

Once you have determined the overall central idea, you can use it to develop a summary, which includes smaller central ideas and supporting key details. Summarizing a text helps to communicate the most important ideas in a clear and concise manner.

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After you have written your summary, be sure that you can answer yes to each of the following questions. If you can, you have written a good summary:

• Does it state the overall central idea for the text?
• Does it include the most important central ideas from the different sections in the text?
• Do all of the central ideas included in the summary support the overall central idea?
• Does it include the most important key details that support one or more of the central ideas?
• Does it contain only information from the text?
• Are all the sentences written in your own words?
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Supporting Details

Information in a story that explains, defines, supports or helps one to identify the main idea and determine the theme of a text.

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Stream of consciousness

A literary technique that presents the thoughts and feelings of a character as they occur.

Reading to Understand

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• The Main Idea

Steps for Identifying the Main Idea

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The main idea is the point or message - what an author presents and what a reader takes from a text. 

Searching for that main idea is a very important activity in understanding a text. It is usually found in the opening paragraph when the author is  setting up the topic  and  expressing the thesis.  

However, the location can vary according to the type of reading. For example, a research article's main idea is toward the end, whereas a persuasive essay's main idea is conveyed at the beginning.

Pre-read to Determine the Overall Topic

Examine the title and then skim the text to determine who or what the reading is about. If you see the same word repeated you know that it is likely the topic or at least an important element of the topic. The topic should be a noun or a noun phrase such as "online education." The topic itself does not convey any meeting us you must read on to determine the main idea.

Ask yourself questions about the text as you read in-depth. Pay close attention to the introduction, the first sentence of body paragraphs, and the conclusion. In these places, the author typically states and supports the main idea. 

Questions to Ask Yourself While Reading : 

• What elements make up this topic?
• What is the author saying about this topic?
• What does the author want me to know or believe about this topic?

Reflect on what you have read. If the main idea is not immediately apparent to you review the introduction and conclusion. The  main idea should be a complete thought  such as "because of its flexibility, comfort, and lower-cost online education is increasing in popularity for younger generations."

Questions to Ask Yourself While Reflecting:

• What is the message I take away from this reading?
• What point does the information add up to?
• What idea does the author reinforce in the conclusion?
• What is the final impression I have about this topic?

Finding the Main Idea

Once you believe you have found the main idea, check that each body paragraph relates to that main idea. The body paragraph should include  supporting ideas  that reinforce and provide greater detail about the main idea. 

Some students find it beneficial to sketch the main idea and supporting ideas in their notes as a concept map.

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25 Central Ideas Examples (In Literature and Film)

A central idea in literature, commonly referred to as the main idea or theme, is the dominant concept that the author wishes to communicate to readers through the written work (Bertens, 2017; Kusch, 2016).

This is not to be confused with a story’s plot, which includes the sequence of events within a narrative. 

The central idea offers a deeper understanding beyond the explicit narrative. Essentially, it’s the source from which all events, characters, and elements of the story spring.

For example, in George Orwell’s 1984, the central idea explores the adverse effects of totalitarian regimes and the dangers of absolute power. 

Airy conjectures aside, let’s simplify things: the central idea is the author’s ‘why’. It is the reason the author decided to write this particular story with these particular characters and events (Grodal, 2011; Hébert, 2022).

For instance, Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” addresses racial injustice and moral development, serving as the book’s central idea. 

Central Ideas Examples

1. love conquers all.

Love is depicted as a prevailing force, capable of overcoming dire circumstances and challenges.

In many narratives, it serves as a beacon of hope during tumultuous times. Characters involved in such narratives often face seemingly insurmountable odds, but love provides strength and resolution.

Thus, this theme emphasizes the transcendental and invincible power of love. The message is that love is ultimately victorious, even in the face of adversity.

Real-Life Example “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen (1813) is a prime literary example. All through the various obstacles the protagonist couple Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy face, their love for each other overcomes the societal pressures and personal misunderstandings.

2. The Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is depicted as a powerful tool that facilitates healing and peace in many narrative works.

It allows both the offender and the person wronged to reconcile and overcome past animosities or conflicts. In literature, characters who embrace forgiveness often report personal growth, understanding, and peace.

Consequently, the theme upholds the message that forgiveness can transform despair into hope, and hostility into understanding. It indicates that the act of forgiving elevates the forgiver from torment to tranquility.

Real-Life Example A clear illustration of this principle is found in Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner” (2003). The protagonist, Amir seeks redemption for his past mistakes, and ultimately, his journey towards forgiveness provides him a route to make things right and gain inner peace.

3. The Search for Identity

The quest for identity is a common narrative in literary works. It captures the struggles and triumphs associated with characters’ journeys to recognize and embrace their unique identities.

In many stories, this process involves self-exploration, acceptance, and wrestling with personal demons.

The overall message often indicates that finding one’s identity takes courage and resilience, and brings about self-actualization.

It presents identity as a critical element in achieving personal fulfillment and clarity.

Real-Life Example J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” (1951) precisely highlights this theme. The narrative follows the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, attempting to find his place in a world laden with societal expectations. 

4. The Destructive Nature of Greed

This central theme emphasizes the detrimental consequences of unrestrained greed.

It cautions about the lure of unrestricted power, wealth, or fame, suggesting that it can lead to personal downfall and chaos.

Often, characters in literature who let greed control their actions meet disastrous endings. The central idea is that excessive greed undermines moral principles and can sever important relationships.

By threading such narratives, literature warns readers of the destructive nature of unchecked desires.

Real-Life Example This is elegantly explored in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” (1925). Jay Gatsby’s insatiable desire for wealth and status leads him down a destructive path, revealing the detrimental effects of greed.

5. The Importance of Individuality

This theme underscores the significance of expressing one’s unique qualities in all facets of life.

The narratives adhering to this theme often provoke characters to challenge societal norms or question conformity.

Stories highlight that being true to oneself may not always be easy, yet it remains integral to achieving true success and happiness. They argue that compromising individuality for acceptance often results in dissatisfaction.

Promoting authenticity , this central idea celebrates the value of being oneself and not a mere reflection of societal expectations.

Real-Life Example This theme drives the plot of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky (1999). The main character, Charlie, struggles with his identity but eventually realizes the importance of embracing his individuality, demonstrating the empowering nature of self-authentication.

6. The Consequences of Unchecked Ambition

Literature often explores the disastrous results of uncontrolled ambition, cautioning readers about its inherent dangers.

This theme reveals how blind ambition can lead to tragic consequences as characters compromise their ethics for selfish pursuits.

It signifies that unchecked ambition can obliterate personal relationships, corrupt moral integrity, and eventually lead to downfall. It suggests a need for a balanced approach, where ambition doesn’t supersede ethics and relationships.

Real-Life Example William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” (1606) is an iconic text that portrays this theme. Macbeth’s insatiable ambition for power fuels a chain of violence and tragedy, illustrating the destructive potential of unchecked ambition.

7. The Struggle Between Good and Evil

This timeless theme represents the moral conflict that resides in us all. Characters are often torn between their noble intentions and their baser instincts.

The struggle represents the perpetual fight between virtues (like honesty, kindness) and vices (like deceit, cruelty).

The battle illuminates the inherently dualistic nature of humankind. This theme encourages readers to skew their choices towards goodness, stating that the triumph of good over evil may demand patience and perseverance.

Real-Life Example The “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling (1997-2007) outlines this theme in its entirety. Harry’s constant conflict against Voldemort’s evil encapsulates the quintessential battle between good and evil.

8. The Impact of War on Humanity

The harsh realities and grotesque implications of war often form the backbone of this central theme.

Characters in war-centric narratives confront death, distress, and destruction, which in turn shape their personalities and life choices. The exposed cruelties compel us to empathize with the victims and question the necessity of violence.

The theme aims to display the brutal, dehumanizing, and destructive effects of war on individuals and societies. It reiterates that peace and understanding should be the preferable path, demonstrating the profound impact war inflicts on the human spirit.

Real Life Example “A Farewell to Arms” (1929) by Ernest Hemingway profoundly captures this theme. Hemingway starkly portrays the grim realities of World War I, underscoring the devastating effects of war on individuals and society.

9. The Resilience of the Human Spirit

Such narratives often thrust characters into adverse situations, pushing them to exemplify remarkable endurance and determination.

It emphasizes the human capacity to survive and thrive in unfavorable circumstances, demonstrating immense inner strength. Characters evolve with their circumstances, embodying the will to persevere despite harsh conditions.

The key message is that the human spirit is essentially invincible and can triumph over adversities. It celebrates the indomitable, resilient nature of humans, which enables them to overcome hardships.

Real Life Example This element is powerfully embedded within “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel (2001). Pi Patel’s, the protagonist’s, survival journey amidst the vast, treacherous Pacific Ocean manifests the resilience of the human spirit.

10. The Danger of Ignorance and Blind Faith

This theme seeks to highlight the detrimental impact of ignorance and mindless adherence to faith or beliefs.

Characters who exhibit such traits often find themselves in precarious situations or make uninformed decisions, leading to disastrous consequences. It informs us that blind faith without critical reasoning can impede personal growth and societal progress.

The theme promotes the significance of awareness, understanding, and informed decision-making in life. It encourages skepticism and critical thinking over naive acceptance.

Real-Life Example “The Crucible” (1953) by Arthur Miller epitomizes this theme. By presenting the horrors of the Salem Witch Trials, Miller critiques the dangers of hysteria, ignorance, and blind faith.

11. The Quest for Justice and Equality

This central idea spotlights the enduring struggle for justice and equality in society.

Replete with characters who fight against inequality and oppression, such narratives often depict the journey towards social justice amidst systemic hurdles. The quest indicates a fight against disparities, encouraging transformation and growth.

The central message often upholds justice and equality as fundamental human rights, worth any sacrifice. It urges readers to question, challenge and change unjust systems.

Real Life Example A classic representation is “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee (1960). The protagonist, Atticus Finch, takes a stand against racial discrimination, exhibiting a relentless pursuit of justice and equality.

12. The Fleeting Nature of Happiness

Literature often explores the impermanent nature of happiness, illustrating its fleeting and subjective aspects.

This theme indicates that joy is transient, potentially affected by varying inner and outer circumstances. It emphasizes the need for appreciation of momentary contentment, easing us into acceptance of life’s inevitable ups and downs.

Characters’ experiences communicate that genuine contentment often stems from personal fulfillment, peace, and love, rather than exterior achievements.

Real Life Example The novel, “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925) illustrates this theme. Despite his wealth and apparent success, Gatsby’s happiness remains elusive and short-lived, signifying the fleeting nature of joy.

13. The Significance of Self-Discovery

Self-discovery forms a recurrent motif in literature, echoing the significance of understanding oneself.

Characters in such narratives embark on journeys towards self-recognition, overcoming personal barriers. Their voyage paves the way for growth, acceptance, and realization of potential.

The theme applauds the pursuit of self-knowledge and promotes personal introspection. It asserts that self-discovery is the key to leading an authentic, fulfilling life.

Real Life Example The theme of self-discovery is vivid in “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho (1988). The protagonist, Santiago’s journey towards self-discovery is symbolic of the universal human quest for understanding oneself and realizing dreams.

14. The Corruption of Power

This theme unfolds the destructive consequences when power is misused or unchecked.

It features characters who become morally debased or dictatorial due to their possession of power.

This central idea often cautions that power without ethical control or responsibility can give rise to cruelty, corruption, and social harm. It emphasizes that power should be balanced with morality and conscience to prevent its potential misuse. 

Real-Life Example A salient example is George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” (1945), where the pigs’ rise to power transforms them into oppressive rulers, mirroring the corruption of power.

15. The Transformative Power of Art and Literature

This central theme accentuates art and literature’s capacity to stir emotions, alter perspectives, and influence society.

Characters in such tales often find solace, inspiration, or catharsis through artistic expression or literary engagement.

Through this thematic exploration, readers are invited to recognize the power of art and literature in triggering personal and social changes. This theme reaffirms art and literature’s crucial role in cultural enrichment and human development.

Real-Life Example “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak (2005) beautifully exhibits this theme. The protagonist, Liesel’s fascination with books not only provides her solace but fosters her understanding of her war-torn world.

16. The Conflict Between Tradition and Progress

This theme involves characters grappling with the tension between upholding traditional values and embracing progressive changes.

It underscores societal conflicts arising due to transformative shifts and the need for adaptation.

It suggests that blind adherence to traditions may resist progress while dismissing tradition entirely might lead to loss of cultural identity. Hence, the need for a balanced approach to progress and tradition is critical.

Real-Life Example The struggle between tradition and progress is profound in “Fiddler on the Roof” by Joseph Stein (1964). The story revolves around Tevye’s attempt to maintain his Jewish traditions amid influxes of societal and familial changes.

17. The Strength of Familial Bonds

Family relationships are recurrently depicted as a source of strength and comfort.

Characters derive support, love, and encouragement from their family ties during their life journey.

This theme underscores the resilience and unparalleled strength of familial bonds in the face of adversity. It stresses that family solidarity can serve as a steadfast source of solace, endurance, and love.

Real Life Example “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott (1868) emphasizes this theme, showcasing the invincible bond among the March sisters despite their varying personalities and challenging circumstances.

Additional Central Themes

• The exploration of morality and ethics.
• The pursuit of knowledge and truth.
• The consequences of societal pressure and expectations.
• The consequences of colonialism and imperialism.
• The power and struggle for the American dream .
• The fragility of human existence.
• The importance of empathy and compassion.
• The struggle against oppression.
• The nature of sacrifice and selflessness.

Read Also: What are the 8 Elements of Story?

The identification of a text’s central idea is crucial in literature studies as it allows an understanding of the text beyond surface-level reading. Identifying the central idea requires you to draw inferences based on information that the author has implicitly provided. For example, one might derive the central idea of “The Hunger Games” (Collins, 2008) as a critique of reality television’s voyeuristic and exploitative nature. 

Every good piece of literature has a central idea that is masterfully woven into its fabric. Through careful examination of the text and understanding of literary devices, you too can extract these central ideas and deepen your appreciation for the written word (Smith, 2015).

Bertens, H. (2017). Literary theory: The basics . London: Routledge.

Grodal, T. (2011). Evolution, Literature and Film: A Reader. Projections , 5 (2), 122.

Hébert, L. (2022). Introduction to Literary Analysis: A Complete Methodology . New York: Taylor & Francis.

Kusch, C. (2016). Literary analysis: The basics . London: Routledge.

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Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
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This was very helpful for me as a student because I needed to find central ideas for a book, and since I couldn’t think of any, this website helped me find three of them. Thank you!

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4.3: Formulating a Central Idea Statement

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While you will not actually say your specific purpose statement during your speech, you will need to clearly state what your focus and main points are going to be (preferably after using an introductory method such as those described in Chapter 8). The statement that reveals your main points is commonly known as the central idea statement (or just the central idea).

Now, at this point we need to make a point about terminology. Your instructor may call the central idea statement “the thesis” or “the thesis statement.” Your English composition instructor probably uses that term in your essay writing. Another instructor may call it the “main idea statement.” All of these are basically synonymous and you should not let the terms confuse you, but you should use the term your instructor uses.

That said, is the central idea statement the very same thing as the thesis sentence in an essay? Yes, in that both are letting the audience know without a doubt your topic, purpose, direction, angle and/or point of view. No, in that the rules for writing a “thesis” or central idea statement in a speech are not as strict as in an essay. For example, it is acceptable in a speech to announce the topic and purpose, although it is usually not the most artful or effective way to do it. You may say,

“In this speech I will try to motivate you to join me next month as a volunteer at the regional Special Olympics.”

That would be followed by a preview statement of what the speech’s arguments or reasons for participating will be, such as,

“You will see that it will benefit the community, the participants, and you individually.”

However, another approach is to “capsulize” the purpose, topic, approach, and preview in one succinct statement.

“Your involvement as a volunteer in next month’s regional Special Olympics will be a rewarding experience that will benefit the community, the participants, and you personally.”

This last version is really the better approach and most likely the one your instructor will prefer.

So, you don’t want to just repeat your specific purpose in the central idea statement, but you do want to provide complete information. Also, unlike the formal thesis of your English essays, the central idea statement in a speech can and should use personal language (I, me, we, us, you, your, etc.) and should attempt to be attention-getting and audience-focused. And importantly, just like a formal thesis sentence, it must be a complete, grammatical sentence.

The point of your central idea statement in terms of your audience is to reveal and clarify the ideas or assertions you will be addressing in your speech, more commonly known as your main points, to fulfill your specific purpose. However, as you are processing your ideas and approach, you may still be working on them. Sometimes those main points will not be clear to you immediately. As much as we would like these writing processes to be straightforward, sometimes we find that we have to revise our original approach. This is why preparing a speech the night before you are giving it is a really, really bad idea. You need lots of time for the preparation and then the practice.

Sometimes you will hear the writing process referred to as “iterative.” This word means, among other things, that a speech or document is not always written in the same order as the audience finally experiences it. You may have noticed that we have not said anything about the introduction of your speech yet. Even though that is the first thing the audience hears, it may be one of the last parts you actually compose. It is best to consider your speech flexible as you work on it, and to be willing to edit and revise. If your instructor asks you to turn the outline in before the speech, you should be clear on how much you can revise after that. Otherwise, it helps to know that you can keep editing your speech until you deliver it, especially while you practice.

Here are some examples of pairs of specific purpose statements and central idea statements.

Specific Purpose: To explain to my classmates the effects of losing a pet on the elderly.

Central Idea: When elderly persons lose their animal companions, they can experience serious psychological, emotional, and physical effects. Specific Purpose: To demonstrate to my audience the correct method for cleaning a computer keyboard. Central Idea: Your computer keyboard needs regular cleaning to function well, and you can achieve that in four easy steps.

Specific Purpose: To persuade my political science class that labor unions are no longer a vital political force in the U.S.

Central Idea: Although for decades in the twentieth century labor unions influenced local and national elections, in this speech I will point to how their influence has declined in the last thirty years.

Specific Purpose: To motivate my audience to oppose the policy of drug testing welfare recipients.

Central Idea: Many voices are calling for welfare recipients to have to go through mandatory, regular drug testing, but this policy is unjust, impractical, and costly, and fair-minded Americans should actively oppose it.

Specific Purpose: To explain to my fellow civic club members why I admire Representative John Lewis.

Central Idea: John Lewis has my admiration for his sacrifices during the Civil Rights movement and his service to Georgia as a leader and U.S. Representative.

Specific Purpose: To describe how makeup is done for the TV show The Walking Dead.

Central Idea: The wildly popular zombie show The Walking Dead achieves incredibly scary and believable makeup effects, and in the next few minutes I will tell you who does it, what they use, and how they do it.

Notice that in all of the above examples that neither the specific purpose nor the central idea ever exceeds one sentence. You may divide your central idea and the preview of main points into two sentences or three sentences, depending on what your instructor directs. If your central idea consists of more than three sentences, then you probably are including too much information and taking up time that is needed for the body of the speech.

Main Idea Finder: Free Summarizing Tool

Add the text to find its main idea:

Number of sentences in the summary:

Condensed version:

Shorter by %

Charachters: Words: Sentences:

If you are looking for a main idea finder, consider using this online summarizing tool. It will condense any paper into a short piece that contains its central idea. All you need to do is:

• 🤔 Why Using the Tool?
• 🆚 Central Idea vs. Theme

👣 Steps to Find the Main Idea

• 🤖 How Do Main Idea Finders Work?

🔗 References

🤔 main idea finder: why using it.

Students often need to analyze loads of literary works to synthesize data and present their findings in academic assignments. Thus, they read tons of articles and books every semester.

Such a hassle, isn’t it?

But the good news is that you can leave this activity out and relax, getting only the gist of every assigned text carefully prepared for you by smart software. It’s the main idea finder – a tool that has made thousands of students’ lives easier and can do the same for you. Using our app, you can easily process large volumes of data and use brief summaries to write reports, literature reviews, and well-grounded analyses.

What Is a Central Idea of a Text?

The central idea is the primary message the author tries to communicate in his text, whether a lengthy book or a short article. Summaries can be long or short, but any piece of literature also has a key point that can be summarized in a single sentence or statement.

How to Find the Main Idea?

At first, it might seem challenging to elicit one main idea in a text, especially if it's long and touches upon many issues. Still, the simplest way to do this is to answer a question, " tell what the author wanted to say in one short sentence. " You can also think of this task as explaining the content to a child in simple terms. The answer will soon surface.

How to Summarize the Main Idea of an Article?

If you were tasked with summarizing the literary work’s idea, focus on the key terms first . What was the subject of the authors’ analysis? What did they want to analyze? Did they succeed? Then produce a summary of the key idea based on the authors’ main focus and approach to that subject.

🆚 Central Idea vs. Theme: What Is the Difference?

The central idea is typically different from the literary piece's theme. The distinction can become clear if you approach the main idea as the topic of a book or an article. It can be elicited even from a title or an abstract, as these parts rarely contradict the rest of the content.

A theme, in turn, is about the meaning that lies under the surface of words and sentences. It is a moral message you can embrace only after careful study of the text and thinking it over.

To illustrate these points, let’s consider a couple of examples. For instance, when talking about The Catcher in the Rye , you will identify:

• Main idea : resistance to coming of age
• Theme : protection of innocence

If you approach Othello, you may note the following:

• Main idea : manipulation and jealousy
• Theme : trust

As you can see, the main idea is closely related to a literary work's theme. Yet, they are subtly different; the main idea refers to the plot more, while the theme concerns the story's moral and life lesson.

There are several effective techniques to find the text’s main idea quickly and correctly. The main helper in this task is a well-established structure of academic texts. It may give you a couple of pointers on where to look for, saving you time and effort. Let’s review these pro tips and see how they work in practice.

Step #1: Look for a Thesis Statement

As a rule, the authors place their central ideas at the end of the introduction. The final sentence of an introductory paragraph is referred to as a thesis statement.

A thesis serves as a roadmap for the entire text , clarifying what the author means to discuss and what point they will argue. Thus, if you find that statement, half of the work is done, as you have the main idea at your fingertips.

Step #2: Mind Topic Sentences

To produce a more extended summary of the author's key ideas, you should also pay attention to the topic sentences spread across the text. These are typically placed at the beginning of each new paragraph.

A topic sentence communicates the paragraph's main idea , while the following sentences are used to strengthen that point and provide additional evidence.

Step #3: The First and Last Sentence Matter

If you're unsure whether you've interpreted the main idea or topic sentence correctly, look at the final sentence of the paragraph as well.

A concluding sentence is a summary that should wrap up the main idea once more before proceeding to the next point. So, a joint analysis of the paragraph's opening and closing sentences will give you a clearer point for a summary.

Step #4: Summarize a Paragraph in One Sentence

Nothing works better than a one-sentence summary . No matter the length of your assigned reading, anything can be explained in one short sentence. Once you perform this exercise, the text’s main idea will surface without a problem.

Step #5: Search for Repeated Keywords

A more nuanced approach is to look for repeated words or their synonyms. Such simple linguistic analysis will also help uncover the main idea and underlying themes.

🔎 How to Find the Main Idea: Example

Finding the text’s main idea shouldn’t be hard if you know where to look for it. Let’s consider an excerpt from Dale Carnegie ’s How to Win Friends and Influence People as an exercise for main idea formulation. Here is the full fragment:

If you tell me how you get your feeling of importance, I'll tell you what you are. That determines your character. That is the most significant thing about you. For example, John D. Rockefeller got his feeling of importance by giving money to erect a modern hospital in Peking, China, to care for millions of poor people whom he had never seen and never would see. Dillinger, on the other hand, got his feeling of importance by being a bandit, a bank robber and killer. When the FBI agents were hunting him, he dashed into a farmhouse up in Minnesota and said, "I'm Dillinger!" Fie was proud of the fact that he was Public Enemy Number One. "I'm not going to hurt you, but I'm Dillinger!" he said. Yes, the one significant difference between Dillinger and Rockefeller is how they got their feeling of importance.

You can locate the main ideas in this fragment using several tips we've outlined above. Here's what you will see if you focus on the topic sentence:

If you tell me how you get your feeling of importance , I'll tell you what you are.

It shows that the fragment will be dedicated to how different people find their feeling of importance and how the latter affects their activities, self-perception, and overall character. Now, we can also take a closer look at the first and last sentences of the paragraph:

If you tell me how you get your feeling of importance , I'll tell you what you are. Yes, the one significant difference between Dillinger and Rockefeller is how they got their feeling of importance .

This approach confirms our initial finding about the “feeling of importance” as the author’s central idea in this paragraph. Dale Carnegie gives two distinct examples – a philanthrope and a criminal – to show that regardless of the person’s activity, the self-derived feeling of importance is central in shaping their characters.

You can also apply the technique of repeated words to elicit the key idea here. A quick review of the paragraph shows the following repeated phrases and their synonyms:

• How you get your feeling of importance
• Significant

So, these phrases show that the main idea is about a search for one's feeling of importance and its significant role in determining one's character, type of activities, and vocation.

🤖 Automatic Main Idea Finders: How Do They Work?

As you can see, eliciting key details and themes in a text is not that hard.

All you need to do is:

• Focus on the topic,
• Read the passage carefully to capture its gist.

But why do this manually and waste so much time if you can use an automatic central idea generator? This machine tool can help you identify the main points in the assigned text. This way, you will have concise summaries outlining the most vital statements, which can speed up your essay work. Let’s have a look at how such an app works.

The tools that can single out main ideas in large texts usually follow the extraction-based principle . The smart algorithm identifies key phrases and words labeled as important in the text, extracting and compiling them into a shorter textual variant. The system uses machine learning techniques that approach summary from the word/phrase classification perspective:

• Frequency distribution of specific words
• Topic words
• Latent semantic analysis
• Discourse-based text analysis
• Bayesian topic models
• Graph models

Besides, you need to indicate the expected length of the summary, which may also affect the scoring criteria and selection of particular words and phrases for the final summary compilation. This way, you receive a concise summarization of content without redundant details; it contains the author's core message.

We hope that this main idea finder will be useful for you. Please try other free tools we offer: summarizer , essay rephraser , paragraph reworder , and thesis finder .

• How to Find the Main Idea With Easy Strategies - YourDictionary
• Theme in Literature: What Is It? - The Balance Careers
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• How to Summarize a Passage With One-Sentence Summary

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Chapter 5: Presentation Organization

32 Purpose and Central Idea Statements

Speeches have traditionally been seen to have one of three broad purposes: to inform, to persuade, and — well, to be honest, different words are used for the third kind of speech purpose: to inspire, to amuse, to please, or to entertain. These broad goals are commonly known as a speech’s general purpose, since, in general, you are trying to inform, persuade, or entertain your audience without regard to specifically what the topic will be. Perhaps you could think of them as appealing to the understanding of the audience (informative), the will or action (persuasive), and the emotion or pleasure.

Now that you know your general purpose (to inform, to persuade, or to entertain), you can start to move in the direction of the specific purpose. A specific purpose statement builds on your general purpose (to inform) and makes it more specific (as the name suggests). So if your first speech is an informative speech, your general purpose will be to inform your audience about a very specific realm of knowledge.

In writing your specific purpose statement, you will take three contributing elements (shown in figure 5.3) that will come together to help you determine your specific purpose :

• You (your interests, your background, past jobs, experience, education, major),
• Your audience
• The context or setting.

Putting It Together

Keeping these three inputs in mind, you can begin to write a specific purpose statement , which will be the foundation for everything you say in the speech and a guide for what you do not say. This formula will help you in putting together your specific purpose statement:

To _______________ [Specific Communication Word (inform, explain, demonstrate, describe, define, persuade, convince, prove, argue)] my [ Target Audience (my classmates, the members of the Social Work Club, my coworkers]  __________________. [T he Content (how to bake brownies, that Macs are better than PCs].

Example: The purpose of my presentation is to demonstrate for my coworkers the value of informed intercultural communication.

Formulating a Central Idea Statement

While you will not actually say your specific purpose statement during your speech, you will need to clearly state what your focus and main points are going to be. The statement that reveals your main points is commonly known as the central idea statement (or just the central idea). Just as you would create a thesis statement for an essay or research paper, the central idea statement helps focus your presentation by defining your topic, purpose, direction, angle and/or point of view. Here are two examples:

Specific Purpose –  To explain to my classmates the effects of losing a pet on the elderly.

Central Idea –  When elderly persons lose their animal companions, they can experience serious psychological, emotional, and physical effects.

Specific Purpose –  To demonstrate to my audience the correct method for cleaning a computer keyboard.

Central Idea –  Your computer keyboard needs regular cleaning to function well, and you can achieve that in four easy steps.

Communication for Business Professionals Copyright © 2018 by eCampusOntario is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Module 5: Choosing and Researching a Topic

Finding the purpose and central idea of your speech, learning objectives.

• Identify the specific purpose of a speech.
• Explain how to formulate a central idea statement for a speech.

General Purpose

The general purpose of most speeches will fall into one of four categories: to inform , to persuade , to entertain , and to commemorate or celebrate . The first step of defining the purpose of your speech is to think about which category best describes your  overall  goal with the speech. What do you want your audience to think, feel, or do as a consequence of hearing you speak? Often, the general purpose of your speech will be defined by the speaking situation. If you’re asked to run a training session at work, your purpose isn’t to entertain but rather to inform. Likewise, if you are invited to introduce the winner of an award, you’re not trying to change the audience’s mind about something; you’re honoring the recipient of the award. In a public speaking class, your general purpose may be included in the assignment: for instance, “Give a persuasive speech about . . . .”  When you’re assigned a speech project, you should always make sure you know whether the general purpose is included in the assignment or whether you need to decide on the general purpose yourself.

Specific Purpose

Now that you know your general purpose (to inform, to persuade, or to entertain), you can start to move in the direction of the specific purpose. A specific purpose statement builds on your general purpose and makes it more specific (as the name suggests). So if your first speech is an informative speech, your general purpose will be to inform your audience  about a very specific realm of knowledge.

In writing your specific purpose statement, you will take three contributing elements and bring them together to help you determine your specific purpose :

• You (your interests, your background, experience, education, etc.)
• Your audience
• The context or setting

There are three elements that combine to create a specific purpose statements: your own interests and knowledge, the interests and needs of your audience, and the context or setting in which you will be speaking.

Keeping these three inputs in mind, you can begin to write a specific purpose statement, which will be the foundation for everything you say in the speech and a guide for what you do not say. This formula will help you in putting together your specific purpose statement:

To _______________ [ Specific Communication Word (inform, explain, demonstrate, describe, define, persuade, convince, prove, argue)] _______________ [ Target Audience (my classmates, the members of the Social Work Club, my coworkers] __________________. [ The Content (how to bake brownies, that Macs are better than PCs].

Example: The purpose of my presentation is to demonstrate to  my coworkers the value of informed intercultural communication .

Formulating a Central Idea Statement

While you will not actually say your specific purpose statement during your speech, you will need to clearly state what your focus and main points are going to be. The statement that reveals your main points is commonly known as the central idea statement (or just the central idea). Just as you would create a thesis statement for an essay or research paper, the central idea statement helps focus your presentation by defining your topic, purpose, direction, angle, and/or point of view. Here are two examples:

• Central Idea—When elderly persons lose their animal companions, they can experience serious psychological, emotional, and physical effects.
• Central Idea—Your computer keyboard needs regular cleaning to function well, and you can achieve that in four easy steps.

Please note that your central idea will emerge and evolve as you research and write your speech, so be open to where your research takes you and anticipate that formulating your central idea will be an ongoing process.

Below are four guidelines for writing a strong central idea.

• Your central idea should be one, full sentence.
• Your central idea should be a statement, not a question.
• Your central idea should be specific and use concrete language.
• Each element of your central idea should be related to the others.

Using the topic “Benefits of Yoga for College Students’ Stress,” here are some correct and incorrect ways to write a central idea.

A strong central idea shows that your speech is focused around a clear and concise topic and that you have a strong sense of what you want your audience to know and understand as a result of your speech. Again, it is unlikely that you will have a final central idea before you begin your research. Instead, it will come together as you research your topic and develop your main points.

• Purpose and Central Idea Statements. Provided by : eCampusOntario. Project : Communication for Business Professionals. License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
• Finding the Purpose of Your Speech. Authored by : Susan Bagley-Koyle with Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution