​The main idea, what the author wants you to learn about the subject​

Central Idea

The main idea, what the author wants you to learn about a subject

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NON-FICTION

Central Idea

The message, what the author wants you to learn

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FICTION​

Theme

Theme vs. Central Idea

The main idea, what the author wants you to learn about a subject

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NON-FICTION

Central Idea

The message, what the author wants you to learn

​

​

FICTION​

Theme

Theme vs. Central Idea

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2 steps to finding the

CENTRAL IDEA:

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Step 1:

What is the subject?​​

​Read the text.

Look at the title, subheadings, pictures, and graphs. Ask yourself: What is the subject of this text? What is it mostly about?

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Step 2:

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What does the author want me to know about this subject?

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The Megalodon, which went extinct millions of years ago, was the largest shark ever documented and one of the largest fish on record. The scientific name, Carcharocles megalodon, means "giant tooth." And for good reason: Its massive teeth give scientists major clues about what the creature was like and when it died off (Live Science).

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The Megalodon

What is the central idea?

The Megalodon, which went extinct millions of years ago, was the largest shark ever documented and one of the largest fish on record. The scientific name, Carcharocles megalodon, means "giant tooth." And for good reason: Its massive teeth give scientists major clues about what the creature was like and when it died off (Live Science).

Responses

• What is the topic? The Megalodon. 

• What is the excerpt trying to teach me? The Megalodon was a giant shark.

• What evidence is there to support what the article is trying to teach me? Largest shark ever documented; Largest fish on record; Name means giant tooth; Went extinct