Understanding the Central Idea in informational text is a deliberate and active process. Begin by Formulating the Central Idea (FCI)™. Formulating—in this context—means to build, or create, or develop as you read.  With that said, let’s begin using the strategy:

    1. First, BEFORE you read the text, do this first. Analyze the text features, such as titles, subtitles, illustrations, and captions (3  minutes or less). Synthesize. This means the reader will analyze the words in the title | study the illustration to identify how the title  connects to or clarifies the title | read the caption and identify how the caption clarifies the illustration and/or title |  skim subtitles to identify the author’s focus.  This active and deliberate pre-reading method is ground-breaking.  For the reader, it shapes the purpose for reading and  grounds the reader with an understanding of the passage at the onset—shoring up  reader’s confidence, as the FCI process provides the textual background knowledge needed to increase and sustain active reading.
    2. Next, identify the thesis statement or central idea in the Introductory paragraph. It should align with and refine the FCI. Note: the thesis statement will be explicit or implied.
    3. Then, identify the topic sentence or main idea in each body paragraph. The function of this sentence is to shape and refine the FCI.
    4. Locate the key ideas in each paragraph.  The key ideas are designed to develop the paragraph’s main points, which in turn are the evidence needed to develop/shape/refine the thesis statement/central idea
    5. Search for the recurring ideas or concepts repeated in the concluding paragraph.
    6. Last, synthesize the data gathered in steps 1-5, and Conclude the Central Idea (CCI).

Evaluate. How did the FCI develop over the course of the text? Analyze the relationship between the FCI and CCI. You should notice how the FCI developed over the course of the text —how it merged, later shaped, and refined.

-The Monica Knighton Way