CENTRAL IDEA
The CENTRAL IDEA is...
- what is important in the story/essay/poem.
- the point the author is trying to make.
To find the central idea, ask yourself 2 questions:
- Who or what is the story/essay/poem about (TOPIC)?
- What is the author's point about the topic?
vs.
A THEME can be expressed in ONE COMPLETE SENTENCE!
The THEME is...
- the overall message the author wants to convey.
- a UNIVERSAL truth, moral, or idea.
THEME