Theme Detective
A story is about a young girl who works hard to learn how to play the piano. Which is the topic of the story?
A. Hard work can help people achieve their goals.
B. Perseverance
C. Never give up when things are difficult.
D. Success requires dedication.
B. Perseverance
What are the five main parts of a plot diagram?
Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.
What are the three most important things you should include when writing a summary?
Characters, main events and the outcome of the events.
Marcus is nervous about trying out for the school play. He makes several mistakes during his audition but doesn't give up. He practices every day and eventually earns a role in the play. Which theme is best supported?
A. Performing in front of people is embarrassing.
B. Practice and perseverance can help you improve.
C. Everyone should participate in school activities.
D. Auditions are difficult.
B. Practice and perseverance can help you improve.
What part of the plot introduces the characters, setting, and basic situation of the story?
Exposition
When writing a summary, should you include every single event that happens in the story? Explain why or why not.
Which of the following is written as a theme statement rather than a topic?
A. Friendship
B. Being kind
C. Friends
D. True friends support each other during difficult times.
D. True friends support each other during difficult times.
What is the climax of a story, and why is it important?
The turning point or most exciting part. Answers will vary.
In your own words, explain what it means to summarize a story.
Answers will vary
A character loses an important competition. Instead of blaming others, she congratulates the winner, learns from her mistakes, and decides to try again next year.
Which theme is best supported by this event?
A. Winning competitions is important.
B. Everyone makes mistakes.
C. Failure can help people grow and improve.
D. Competitions are stressful.
C. Failure can help people grow and improve.
A character has just solved the main problem, and the story is showing what happens afterward. What part of the plot are we in?
Falling Action
What is the difference between a summary and a retelling?
Answers will vary.
A boy moves to a new school and feels lonely. At first, he refuses to talk to anyone. Eventually, he joins a club, makes friends, and realizes that reaching out to others can help him feel like he belongs.
Which theme is best supported?
A. Moving is always difficult but once you join a club it gets better.
B. Making friends takes time and sometime you have to make the effort.
C. Taking a chance and reaching out to others can help you overcome loneliness.
D. Clubs are a good way to meet people and help you overcome loneliness.
C. Taking a chance and reaching out to others can help you overcome loneliness.
A character has spent the entire story avoiding a difficult problem. Near the end, they finally face the problem and make a decision that changes what happens next.
Which part of the plot is this most likely?
Climax
Can you summarize "The Three Little Pigs?"
Summaries will vary.