English 1 Unit 1 Study Guide

What is a thematic topic?

• a summary of a text

• a sentence that states the author’s message about a thematic topic

• a word that tells what a text is about

Which of the following would be acceptable thematic topics for "Mother Sauvage"?

• war

• getting revenge on your enemies

• war hurts everyone

• grief

What is a theme statement?

• a summary of a text

• a sentence that states the author’s message about a thematic topic; it is universal and can apply to any culture or time period. 

• a word that tells what a text is about

A theme statement is not...

• • A one-word thematic topic

• • A definition of a thematic topic

• • A summary of the text

• a universal message

A theme statement should not include…

• • The author of the text

• • The title of the text

• • First or second person pronouns like “I,” “we,” and “you”

• • Character names from the text

Which of the following would NOT be acceptable as a theme statement for "The Scarlet Ibis"?

• Pride can cause people to do cruel things to teach other.

• "The Scarlet Ibis" teaches us about how betrayal can hurt people.

• Betrayal can sometimes harm the someone more than expected.

• The narrator finds out that his desire for pride causes him to make bad decisions.

Which of the following WOULD BE an acceptable theme statement for "The Medicine Bag"?

• "The Medicine Bag" teaches us that it is important to be proud of heritage.

• Martin does not understand why he must carry out the tradition.

• Carrying out a tradition can be a form of respect for one's elders.

• You should be proud of your family instead of embarrassed by them.

What does APES stand for?

• Ask, Provide, Explain, Summarize

• All, People, Enjoy, Spaghetti

• Answer, Prove, Explain, Summarize

• Answer, Provide, Evidence, Sum

Which piece of textual evidence is formatted correctly?

• On page 2, it says, "Mama,

  Maud Martha, and Helen rocked slowly in

  their rocking chairs."

• Brooks says, "Mama,

  Maud Martha, and Helen rocked slowly in

  their rocking chairs."

• Brooks says, "Mama,

  Maud Martha, and Helen rocked slowly in

  their rocking chairs" (2).

• "Mama,

  Maud Martha, and Helen rocked slowly in

  their rocking chairs" (2).

The characters in "Home" believe that home is wherever family is. Mama says that Papa “wouldn’t want the house, except for us…and he’ll have us…wherever” (2). Mama is explaining that Papa wouldn’t be too upset about losing their house. Home means family to the characters in “Home.”

What is wrong with this APES paragraph?

• The textual evidence is not cited.

• The Answer is unclear.

• The Explain doesn't say how the textual evidence proves Papa believes home means family.

• There is no Summarize sentence.