Central Ideas in Nonfiction

1. Central Ideas in Nonfiction p. 7, 16

2. BR: Theme Review Quiz • What is theme? • List three clues to help the reader determine the theme of a selection. • What are universal themes?

3. Target • I can determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of a text.

4. Central Ideas in Nonfiction What is the likely purpose and central idea of each of the following: In a history of baseball, the writer links the outlawing of spitballs to the emergence of the powerhouse hitter, including celebrities as Babe Ruth.

5. What is the likely purpose and central idea of each of the following: In a profile of a rap star, the writer contrasts the star’s humble origins with his current wealth and celebrity, noting how hard the star worked to achieve his success.

6. What central idea might be supported by these details? What types of details are presented? In the 1940s, there were only sixteen baseball teams. Now, there are thirty, so it is harder for fans to keep track of them. In the 1940s, players tended to play with the same team for many years. It was more enjoyable to root for a team when you knew who each player was. In more recent times, baseball players play for whichever team will pay them the most.

7. From “State of the Union Address (1941)” by Franklin D. Roosevelt • One belief that defines Roosevelt’s perspective is that… • One piece of evidence for his view might be that… • The idea that the political and economic system should provide for a “constantly rising standard of living” (is/is not) credible because…