Identifying the Main Idea and Theme

Define topic:

• The moral of the story; the message.

• General subject of the text; one or two words

• Who or what the story is about; one sentence

Define main idea/central idea:

• The moral of the story; the message

• General subject of the text; one or two words

• Who or what the story is about; one sentence

Define theme:

• The moral of the story; the message

• General subject of the text; one or two words

• Who or what the story is about; one sentence

Is this a topic, main idea, or theme?

The boys never expected to get caught stealing the bag of chips, but the security camera caught their theft.

• Topic

• Main Idea

• Theme

Is this a topic, main idea, or theme?

It doesn’t matter what type of clothes you wear or the kind of music you listen to. What matters most is who you are inside.

• Topic

• Main Idea

• Theme

Is this a topic, main idea, or theme?

Love

• Topic

• Main Idea

• Theme

Is this a topic, main idea, or theme?

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

• Topic

• Main Idea

• Theme

Is this a topic, main idea, or theme?

Loss

• Topic

• Main Idea

• Theme

Is this a topic, main idea, or theme?

When you aren’t sure of a solution, use creativity and your imagination to solve the problem.

• Topic

• Main Idea

• Theme

The best definition of theme is...

• The lesson the author is teaching. 
• The message the author is sending.
• A word that summarizes the story.
• The character's main problem.