Theme Detectives
What is a theme?
The lesson or message an author wants readers to learn.
After finding a theme, what should you look for next?
Evidence that supports it.
What are context clues?
Words around an unfamiliar word that help readers determine meaning.
What is motivation?
The reason a character acts.
When comparing passages, what should readers look for?
Similarities and differences.
What is the difference between a topic and a theme?
Topic = what the story is about; Theme = what the story teaches about that topic.
What makes evidence strong?
It directly supports the answer.
What is a prefix?
A word part added to the beginning of a word.
What should readers look for to determine motivation?
A character's words, thoughts, actions, and goals.
Can two passages have the same theme but different events?
Yes.
A character succeeds because they ask for help from others. What theme might fit?
Working together leads to success.
If two answer choices seem correct, which should you choose?
The one with the strongest textual evidence.
If the prefix de- means "away from," what does it often do to a word's meaning?
Shows moving away, down, or removing.
What is an external conflict?
A problem between a character and an outside force.
What should you do before answering a paired-passage question?
Identify what each passage says about the topic.
Where should readers look for clues about the theme?
Character actions, conflicts, and outcomes.
How can character actions support a theme?
Actions often demonstrate the lesson being learned.
What strategy should you use if you don't know a word?
Look at context clues and word parts.
Name three examples of external conflict.
Character vs. character, nature, animal, society, or supernatural force.
If Passage 1 includes a detail that Passage 2 does not, what are you identifying?
A difference between passages
A theme is usually stated directly.
False. Readers often infer the theme.
What is the most important word in a question asking for evidence?
Best
What is a synonym?
A word with a similar meaning.
A hero battles a monster. What type of conflict is this?
External Conflict
What should a strong paired-passage response include?
A comparison and evidence from both passages.