Theme, Main Idea, Author's Purpose

What is the definition of theme?

• a universal message, or moral, about life that a writer wants you to understand; not specific to one story

• why the author is writing the text; inform, entertain, persuade, explain

• the overall idea of the story and is specific to that story

What is the definition of main idea?

• a universal message, or moral, about life that a writer wants you to understand; not specific to one story

• why the author is writing the text; inform, entertain, persuade, explain

• the overall idea of the story and is specific to that story

What is the definition of author's purpose?

• a universal message, or moral, about life that a writer wants you to understand; not specific to one story

• why the author is writing the text; to inform, entertain, persuade, explain

• the overall idea of the story and is specific to that story

Friendship, true love, and war are examples of what?

• themes

• main ideas

• topics

Theme, Main Idea, or Author's Purpose?

True love conquers all!

• Theme

• Main Idea

• Author's Purpose

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

Theme, Main Idea, or Author's Purpose?

Harry Potter must learn to trust Hermione, Ron, and the rest of his friends in the book The Deathly Hallows.

• Author's Purpose

• Main Idea

• Theme

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

Theme, Main Idea, or Author's Purpose?

Dr. Seuss wanted to persuade children to be kind by writing Horton Hears A Who.

• Main Idea

• Author's Purpose

• Theme

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.6

Identify the theme of the following story:

"Chore Money"



Luis was excited. The new game he wanted was finally in stores. “The game is here!” he told his mom. “Can we go buy it?”

“You know, Luis, we have to spend our money carefully. We have to pay for our house and food. We need to buy clothing and books and gas for our car. Our money goes to things we need.”

“But I really want this game!” answered Luis. “What can I do?”

“You get eight dollars a week for doing chores,” his mom said. “Try to save it. Before long, you will have enough to pay for the game.”

“I do not think so,” said Luis. “By then, all the games will be sold.”

“Try it,” replied his mother.

Weeks later, Luis came home very happy. “Guess what, Mama? I did what you said. I saved my chore money. Then I saw the game was on sale. I bought it for less than when it was new.”

“And,” his mother added, “you did it with your own money!”

• Saving money is a smart thing to do.

• Don't waste your money on video games.

Identify the theme of the following story:

"Zombie Lunchlady"

Doris stood there, hand on hip, trying to figure out what to say. She’d already used up most of her standby phrases; things like, “Don’t forget, employees must wash their hands,” and “A smile will go a long way.” What worked for all the other ladies had not worked for this newest employee.

Saying, "Wash your hands,” had led to the new lady carefully removing one hand, rinsing it, reattaching it somewhat sloppily, then attempting to repeat the process with the other one. Encouraging her to smile had sent the entire first grade screaming and running away from the line.

Today, Doris had come to school ready for whatever came to mind. She’d thought to ask her other employees what they might suggest. Looking hopelessly around the group, however, she realized they would not have any suggestions for the new girl. Rather, the new lady had rubbed off on them already. They stood in a similar posture to hers, listlessly lolling their heads about and groaning. Doris cleared her throat anyway. Alerted, they all began creeping closer.

• It is important to focus on the important details.

• Lunch served by zombies is unsanitary.

Identify the theme of the following story:

"The Cupcake Contest"

Neal was so excited. His high school was having a bake-off, and the owners of a local cupcake shop were going to judge. Neal had always had a knack for cooking and baking, and he was pretty sure he could win this contest. He'd perfected his classic vanilla cupcake recipe.

On the way to biology class, he asked his friend Liza what she was baking for the contest.

"I'm going to make my grandmother's red velvet cupcakes, topped with cream cheese frosting and cinnamon," Liza replied.

Neal groaned. Liza's cupcakes sounded so much more creative. Suddenly, his simple vanilla cupcakes seemed lame.

Determined to impress the judges, Neal changed his cupcake recipe. He added a marshmallow filling to each cupcake. To liven up his buttercream frosting, he added purple food dye, lavender oil, and licorice extract. The cupcakes still looked boring, so he garnished them with gold dust, rice paper birds, and edible flower petals.

In spite of all these adventurous touches, his cupcakes turned out lopsided and goopy, and the frosting tasted strongly like licorice. But he was sure the cupcake judges would look highly on how fancy his cupcakes were.

Neal could hardly wait for the contest results to be posted after school. But when he saw the list on the wall, his mouth fell open. He didn't win any prizes, not even as a runner-up. And first place had gone to one of his classmates, Drew Feldman. The description by Drew's cupcakes read, "Classic Vanilla."

• Always challenge yourself to go outside your comfort zone and try something new.

• It's often better to do a good job on something simple than attempt too many things at once.