RL2./RI2. Writing a Central Idea Statement/WHOWHATWHY Sentence

1. This week we are learning how to determine the central idea of a short reading.

2. A short reading is the following:

        3. Short Story (Fiction)

        4. Narrative Essay (True Story)

        5. Logical Essay (Op-Ed Piece, Persuasive Essay)

        6. Informational Reading (Article, Textbook Section)

3. You write a sentence with the “WHO+WHAT+WHY” - that’s the central idea.

4. First, you have to decide which kind of reading it is.

5. Look at the context - is it on a newspaper website, in a paperback book, in a unit on short stories.

6. Read the first paragraph and decide what kind of short reading it is.

7. After the first third of the thing, you should know the “Who.”

        The WHO is the answer to the question “WHO is the person or group that this

reading is about?”

8. When you are done reading, you should know the “What.”

        The WHAT answers “WHAT is the WHO doing?” or “WHAT is happening TO

the WHO?”

9. After thinking about it, or maybe rereading it, you should know the “Why.”

        The WHY answers “WHY should a smart American (like you) know this

information?” It’s the hardest one to figure out.

10. For a story (true or fiction), the Who+What+Why = Main Character + Conflict/Climax + Theme.

11. For an essay (informational or logical essay), the Who+What+Why = Person/Group + What You Found Out about Them + Why a Thoughtful Student/Adult Would Care.

12. You write the Central Idea as a single, polished sentence.

13. On multiple choice reading tests, this is the most commonly asked question, though they change the words to mix it up.

        14. “This passage is mostly about . . . “

        15. “Which of these expresses the main idea of the passage?”