Main Idea, Theme, Supporting Details and Topic Sentences

The main idea of a text --

• is a lesson from the story

• will never use characters' names

• is what the story is mostly about

• is the story's message

What is theme in a story?

• The main idea

• The solution to the story

• The lesson about life in the story

• The author's purpose or reason for writing the story

Which of the following is an example of theme?

• Cinderella was thoughtful and kind.

• Jack risked his life to save Jane.

• Don't judge people by outward appearances.

• Happiness

TRUE OR FALSE

A text can have more than one theme.

• True

• False

What is one major difference between theme and main idea?

• Theme is a universal lesson about life and main idea is what a story is about

• Theme is what a story is about and main idea is the universal lesson about life that the story teaches

Which of the following is an example of theme?

• Cinderella was thoughtful and kind.

• Jack risked his life to save Jane.

• Don't judge people by outward appearances.

• Happiness

Read the following paragraph:

There was once some hardworking ants and a grasshopper who hated to work. The ants gathered food all spring, while the grasshopper played. When winter came, the ants had enough food, but the grasshopper had nothing to eat.

What is the theme of this story?

• Don't be lazy

• Have as much fun as you can before you die

• Don't steal

• Look before you leap

The main idea is supported by what?

• concluding sentences

• details

TRUE OR FALSE

A story can have multiple main ideas.

• True

• False

Which of the following is an example of a main idea?

• Hard work pays off in the end.

• John worked hard every day at his job.

• Don't judge a book by its cover.

• Love