Expository Essay: The Central Idea What is a central idea?

Expository Essay: The Central Idea

What is a central idea?

• A central idea is the main idea of an expository essay.
• It is often a point you want support in an essay.
• SO
• The central idea explains to a reader the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s opinions on that idea.

A central idea is usually one sentence.

• A central idea is usually one sentence.
• It is placed in the introductory paragraph of an essay.
• An expository essay will contain evidence that supports the central idea.

Central ideas avoid the following:

• the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.)
• unclear language (It seems, etc.)
• attempting two topics at once (even if they seem related). Pick one and stick with it.
• just stating a fact - A central idea is something you plan to support with evidence.

A central idea should

• contain a topic (main idea of what you are writing about)
• contain an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)

A central idea should not be too general.

• Too General
• Krahn Elementary is a fantastic school.
• Better
• Highly qualified teachers make Krahn Elementary a fantastic school.

Which sentence is too general to be a good central idea?

• One reason to live in Spring, Texas is its diversity.
• Spring, Texas is a great place to live.

Too General

• Spring, Texas is a great place to live.

A central idea should not be too wordy.

• Wordy
• Some problems with Krahn Elementary School are that it needs more playground equipment, an auditorium, and restrooms connected to each classroom.
• Better
• Krahn Elementary needs several changes to make it a better school.

Which sentence is too wordy to be a good central idea statement?

• A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever known.
• B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

Too Wordy

• Abraham Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

A central idea should not be too general.

• Too general
• Krahn Elementary is a good school.
• Better
• Daily writing practice has led to improved writing skills for the students at Krahn Elementary.

Which sentence is too general to be a good central idea?

• A. Music makes people happy.
• B. Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other conditions.

Too general

• Music makes people happy.

Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a central idea. 2) Tell if the statement is a good central idea.

• Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.

Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a central idea. 2) Tell if the statement is a good central idea.

• In this essay I will discuss the crime rate in Spring, Texas.

Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a central idea. 2) Tell if the statement is a good central idea.

• Energetic exercise is a good way to help relieve stress.

Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.

• Spring and Galveston differ in many ways.

Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a central idea. 2) Tell if the statement is a good central idea.

• This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of students having nightly homework.

Take out a piece of notebook paper and number from 1 to 10. In each of the following slides tell whether the sentence is a good or bad central idea.

Good or Bad

• Many people do not like to watch violent horror movies.
• Today’s movies do not have the emotional impact of the classic horror movies of the 1940’s.

Good or Bad

• Rap music is the best music ever.
• Although many people find rap music offensive, it has had a positive impact on today’s youth.

Good or Bad

• I enjoy white water rafting.
• The first white water rafting trip can challenge a person both in body and spirit.

Good or Bad

• Fourth grade students are busy.
• The life of a typical fourth grade student is challenging due to the need to succeed in a variety of different subjects.

Good or Bad

• Community service projects include building shelter for the homeless, servicing meals to the hungry, providing transportation for the sick, distributing clothes, and a large number of other helpful activities.
• Students should help others who are less fortunate.