Complex Theme and Main Idea

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

TRUE OR FALSE

A text can have more than one theme.

• True

• False

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

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

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

What is the main idea of the short passage below?

Fears change as children grow up. Many 2- to 4-year-olds are afraid of animals, especially dogs. By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark. Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures.

• Everyone is afraid of something

• Children need to learn not to be afraid

• Common fears are thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures

• Fears change as people grow up

What is the main idea of the short passage below?

Do you wear glasses? Make sure your glasses fit well. The earpieces should be at eye level. Don't try to adjust the earpieces yourself. Take your glasses for adjustments to the place you bought them. Keep your glasses in a case when you're not wearing them. This will prevent scratches. Keep the lenses clean. A soft cloth is best for cleaning.

• All kinds of people wear glasses

• Never make fun of someone for wearing glasses

• There are many steps to taking care of glasses

• Always keep your glasses clean

What is the theme?

During a baseball game, Tanner tried to tag a player leaving first base. When the umpire called the player out, Tanner immediately informed the umpire that he did not tag the runner. Two weeks later, the very same umpire was at another one of Tanner’s baseball games. Tanner was playing short stop and tagged a runner as they approached third base. When the umpire called the player safe, Tanner didn’t say a word, but the umpire noticed the surprised look on Tanner’s face. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked Tanner. When Tanner told her that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed her decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by her decision.

• You should cheat to win.

• Always work hard

• Teamwork is best

• It pays to be honest

What is the theme?

One summer's day, Mr. Grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw Mr. Ant passing by, working hard to store food for the winter.

“Come and sing with me instead of working so hard. Let's have fun together,” said the grasshopper.

“I must store food for the winter,” said the ant, “and I advise you to do the same.”

“Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the grasshopper, laughing at him.

But the ant wouldn’t listen and continued to work. When winter came, the starving grasshopper went to the ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat.

“If you had listened to my advice in the summer you would not now be in need,” said the ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go without supper,” and he closed the door.

• Share with your neighbor

• Work before you play

• Be respectful

• Don't be greedy

What is the theme?

In a season of dry weather, when the birds could find very little to drink, a thirsty crow found a pitcher with a little water in it. But the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how he tried, the crow could not reach the water. The poor thing felt as if he would die of thirst. Then an idea came to him! Picking up some small pebbles (or stones), he dropped them into the pitcher one by one. With each pebble the water rose a little higher until at last it was near enough so he could drink.

• Be persistent

• Be honest

• Always share with others

• Respect your family