Main Idea/ Theme
Figurative Language
Compare and Contrast
Skill Master
Writing Master
100

A central idea, also known as a main idea, is what a text is...

MOSTLY about. It is what the author wants to teach or tell readers about a topic.

100

Is the following sentence a metaphor or a simile? 

"Jenny is as quiet as a mouse."  

A simile compares to unlike things using the words like or as. 

100

Contrasting means...

to find the differences. 

100

What is the difference between an informational text and a literary text?

How does the type of text change what we annotate for?

Informational Text 📚 A text that gives you facts and teaches you about real things.

- Main Idea 

-Topic 

-Facts 

Literary Text ✨ A text that tells a story—it might be real or made up.

- Theme 

-Plot 

-Thoughts & Feelings

100

Which writing strategy will you use for all short responses during the ELA state exam?

R.A.C.E

200

A theme is...

the message or lesson the author wants readers to learn about life and/or the world. 


200

Is the following sentence a metaphor or a simile? 

"Time is money." 

A metaphor compares to unlike things WITHOUT using the words like or as.

200

To compare means...

to find both differences and similarities. 

200

What do we annotate a poem for? 

How are poems organized? 

Thoughts and feelings. 

Lines & Stanzas

200

A. How much evidence should you include in a short response? 

B. How much evidence should you include in an essay (extended response)?

A. 2 or 3 evidence 

B. at least 2 evidence per body paragraph (4 or more evidence)


300

When identifying a THEME ask these four questions...

  • What problems do characters face? 

  • How do characters react to or solve that challenge? 

  • What lesson do characters learn or how do they change/ grow?

  • Finally, ask what life lesson can readers (we) learn from the text? What did readers learn from the story that they can apply to their own lives?

300

Figurative Language is a word or phrase ...

that does not have its normal everyday, literal meaning.

300

What are at least three comparing keywords? For example: Alike


- Same 

- Similar 

- Both

- In common 

- Also 

300

What does chronological order mean? 

In the order that things happen.

300

A. How many points is a short response? 

B. How many points is an essay (extended response)?

A. 2 points 

B. 4 points

400

What are the three steps to identifying the MAIN IDEA of a text? 

Step 1: Determine the TOPIC of the passage. WHO  or WHAT a passage is about?

Step 2: Look for FACTS or DETAILS about the topic. What are facts, examples, and information the author provides about the topic?

Step 3: Use these facts and information to determine the central/main idea. What is the author MOSTLY trying to teach or tell us about the topic?

400

What is personification?

Personification is when you give an animal or object qualities or abilities that only a human can have. 

Example:

  • Lightning danced across the sky.
  • The wind howled in the night.
  • The car complained as the key was roughly turned in its ignition.
400

What are some contrasting keywords? Example: Different 

- However 

- But 

- While 

- Unlike 

- Whereas

400

What does point of view mean? 

Thoughts & Feelings 

400

How do you know how many paragraphs your essay should have?

An essay should have 4 to 6 paragraphs.

An introduction, 2 to 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

The question bullet points will tell us how many body paragraphs we should have. 

500

What are some main idea clues? 


  1. Look at the titles and headings.  

  1. Look at the pictures. 

  1. Look for clue words that are used repeatedly. 

  1. Sometimes the main ideas are stated in the first or last sentence/paragraph.

  1. What is the text mostly about?

500

What does the following figurative language most likely mean? 


"The door protested as it opened slowly."


The door made a lot of noise.

500

Compare and Contrast Point of View to Perspective.  

Difference: Point of View is how a story is written. 

Perspective is whose thoughts and feelings are being shared.

Same: During the state exam, when they ask about the point of view, they are really asking about perspective.

500

What are context clues? 

Name all types of context clauses. Hint: I.D.E.A.S


Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words.

Make an inference: using clue and/or single words that might reveal the words connotation (is it a positive or negative word).

Definition - sometimes the meaning of the word is right in the passage. 

Examples/Explanation:  something that shows or describes the word. 

Antonyms: words that mean the opposite. Synonyms:  words that have the same meaning. 


500

Create a planning page outline.

Introduction 

  • Claim (answer) #1: 

  • Claim (answer) #2:  

  • Claim (answer) #3


Body Paragraph 1 

Claim #1:  

  • Evidence 1:

  • Evidence 2:


Body Paragraph 2 

Claim #2:  

  • Evidence 1: 

  • Evidence 2: 


Body Paragraph 3 

Claim #3:  

  • Evidence 1: 

  • Evidence 2: 


Conclusion

  • Remix Claim #1: 

  • Remix Claim #2:  

  • Remix Claim #3:  


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