Identifying Theme and Main Idea

When determining a theme, the reader should first consider...

• the illustrations
• the subject or topic
• the title
• the length of the story 

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

• TRUE
• FALSE

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.

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.
  

Which of the following is an example of THEME?

• Carry your laptops with two hands at all times.
• Cereal is the healthiest food you can eat.
• You can severely break your leg while crossing the street.
• Life is short; make the most of it.

What is the central idea of the passage?

Millions of acres of tropical rainforest have been destroyed. Many animals and people lose their homes when the rain forest is cut down. Today, people are destroying the forests so quickly that the animals are unable to adapt. Many of these animals, such as the leopard, need miles and miles of untouched rain forest in order to live. Furthermore, as more of the rainforest is destroyed, the risk of air pollution and loss of oxygen increases.

• Leopards are losing their homes

• The destruction of the rain forest is harming humans and animals.

• The destruction of the rain forest is an interesting subject

• Forests provide oxygen for humans and animals

What is the central idea of the passage?

In 1981, a new television channel was introduced to showcase musicians performing their songs in music videos. This channel was called MTV, or Music Television. Since the channel first went on the air, viewership has increased, and the channel has expanded to countries all over the world. Today, MTV not only shows music videos, but a variety of other television programming as well.

• MTV has been a ground-breaking TV channel

• MTV offers interesting videos

• Watching MTV is a great way to see musicians

• MTV is a channel that is broadcasted around the world

What is the CENTRAL IDEA of a nonfiction text?

• What the author of a text wants me to remember most.

• A full paragraph SUMMARY of a text.

• The type of CONFLICT used throughout a text.

• The universal truth, moral lesson, or message that the author intends for the audience.

The CENTRAL IDEA of a nonfiction text needs to always be supported with...

• Supporting details

• The reader's opinion

• Reliable authors

• Concluding sentences

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the central idea of a text?

• Who is the main character?

• What is the significance of the main event?

• What is one important detail?

• What does the author want me to remember most?