Main Idea vs. Theme

What does the MAIN IDEA of a story tell the reader?

• When to eat lunch
• The conflict of the story
• What the story is about 
• The universal truth, moral, or idea the author wants to express

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Theme is...

• what the text suggests about the way the world works.

• a specific message aimed at the characters in the story.

• a somewhat specific message that ONLY relates to characters in the story.

• the happy message a story is trying to convey.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Theme is...

• usually stated directly.

• never stated directly.

• always stated directly.

• often stated indirectly.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which of the following is not true: Theme is...

• an idea that fits your life.

• an idea that fits others' lives.

• an idea that is limited to the characters in the story.

• an idea that is not limited to the characters in the story.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

A well written theme statement includes character's names and the author.

• TRUE
• FALSE

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

A theme should be a statement, not just one word. 

• TRUE
• FALSE

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

One way you could figure out the theme is to...

• Skim through the story
• Just read the beginning of the story
• Think about what the character has learned
• Read the ending of the story

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the main difference between THEME and MAIN IDEA. 

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

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Together, main idea and theme help me to understand what I read...

• in a very limited setting or circumstance.

• in a very narrow or specific context

• in both specific and general circumstances.

• mainly in connection to the lives of others.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the topic of the following paragraph?

Julia’s report card reflected poor grades. She felt she would get in trouble, so she hid her report card from her parents. When her parents discovered what her grades were, they grounded her for trying to hide the truth.

• Julia

• Getting poor grades

• Hiding the truth

• Julia's parents discovering her grades

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2