Exploring Theme and Central Idea

This video tutorial introduces the concepts of theme and central idea in texts. It explains that a theme is the central insight about human behavior in fictional works, learned through characters' experiences. The video provides strategies for identifying and stating themes, emphasizing that themes should apply to the entire work. It also covers the central idea in informational texts, which is the author's main message, and offers practice exercises for identifying main ideas.

What is the main purpose of the lesson?

• To explain the history of literature

• To help identify the theme or central idea of a text

• To teach how to write a story

• To discuss different genres of books

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CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

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CCSS.RL.8.2

What is a theme in a story?

• The main character

• The central idea or insight about human behavior

• The plot twist

• The setting of the story

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How is a theme usually conveyed in a story?

• Directly stated by the author

• In the title of the story

• Through the characters' experiences

• In the first paragraph

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What question can help you identify the theme of a story?

• What is the genre of the story?

• Who is the main character?

• What lesson did the character learn?

• What is the setting of the story?

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What should you ensure when stating a theme?

• It applies to the entire work

• It is a quote from the story

• It is a single word

• It is the title of the story

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How should a theme be stated?

• As a question

• As a topic

• As a sentence

• As a title

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the central idea in an informational text?

• The author's message

• The plot

• The setting

• The main character

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CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

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How can you find the main idea of an informational text?

• By looking at the title

• By counting the number of paragraphs

• By identifying the most important point the author wants to convey

• By reading the first sentence

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CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

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What is the main idea of the paragraph about starting a new job?

• Starting a new job is always difficult

• Starting a new job is always easy

• Starting a new job is unnecessary

• Starting a new job is both exciting and intimidating

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CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the main idea of the paragraph about taking vitamins?

• Vitamins are harmful

• Vitamins are only for athletes

• Vitamins are unnecessary

• Vitamins may benefit your health in several ways

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CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2