Main Idea/ Theme
Figurative Language
Compare and Contrast
Text Structure
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
Text structure is...
how the information in a text is organized.
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
This text structure describes a problem and how it is solved.
Problem and Solution
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
This text structure describes a sequence of events or a list of steps.
Chronological order.
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
Determine the text structure:
A chimpanzee’s body is made for climbing and swinging in the trees. First, it uses its long arms to reach a branch. Next, with its flexible hands and feet, it grabs and hooks on to the branch. Finally, it swings from that branch to another branch of tree.
Chronological Order (Sequence)
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?
Look at the titles and headings.
Look at the pictures.
Look for clue words that are used repeatedly.
Sometimes the main ideas are stated in the first or last sentence/paragraph.
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
Determine the text structure:
Chimps live in groups and like each other a lot, but sometimes they fight. Because they don’t want to stay angry at each other after a fight, they make up by holding a hand out to the other and kissing. They show they are sorry with pats and hugs. Then the anger goes away.
Cause/Effect
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: