Determine Theme and Central Idea

Which of the following is NOT a type of specific detail that could support the central idea?

• points made

• events

• conversations

• citations

True or False: One supporting detail could change what your central idea says.

• True

• False

How ready do you feel to start determining and analyzing the central idea?

• Very Ready

• Somewhat ready

• I need more information

• What are we talking about?

The passage most strongly suggests that researchers at MPI share which assumption?

• Determine the meaning of a phrase or word

• Determine the central idea

• Determine character development

• Cite best textual evidence

What is the main reason the narrator gives for calling himself invisible?

• Determine the central idea

• Inference

• Summarize

• Determine tone

What is the best definition of THEME?

• A universal truth, lesson about life, or idea that the author wants to express.

• The location and time of the story

• The events that occur in the story

• The author's reason for writing a story

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.

The goal in finding either central idea or theme is to determine what the author is trying to say.

• True

• False

When determining either central idea or theme, you will have to make an inference.

• True

• False

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 in fact 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.
What is the theme?

• You should cheat to win.

• Always work hard.

• It pays to be honest.

• Teamwork is best.