Theme vs. Main Idea

The theme of the story is the __________________________.

• main character

• message about life that the author expresses

• sequence of events

• short summary of what the story is about

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

What is the main idea?

• the main character in a story

• the message about life that an author expresses

• the sequence of events in a story

• a description of what the story is mostly about

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Read the following sentence.

Friendship helps people get through hard times.

The sentence above is an example of a _________________.

• plot

• character

• main idea

• theme

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

Read the following sentence.

A woman risks her life to spy for the Union during the Civil War.

The sentence above is an example of a __________________.

• plot

• character

• main idea

• theme

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Which is an example of a main idea?

• Don't be afraid to try new things.

• Friendship

• Two boys become friends during summer camp.

• Be happy with what you have.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Theme or Main Idea?

Always treat others how you would want to be treated.

• Theme

• Main Idea

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

The frog sat on the side of the pond.  He was very still.  His green color made him hard to see.  A bug flew near him.  His tongue zipped out, and he gobbled it up.  Then the frog was still again.  He waited for the next bug.
What is the main idea?

• Frogs are green .
• Frogs eat bugs.
• Frogs do not move.
• Frogs live in ponds.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

What is the difference between THEME and MAIN IDEA?

• Theme is a universal lesson and the main idea is what the story is about.
• The theme is what the story is about and main idea is the universal lesson it teaches.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Even though it had been a terrible day, Terrence came home in a pleasant mood, hoping to have a good night.

• Theme
• Main Idea

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2