Author's Purpose
What are the main 3 author's purposes for writing?
persuade, inform, entertain
What is central idea?
The main point an author wants to make about a topic.
What is theme?
The lesson or message of a story
The boy was elated, or extremely happy, when he won the prize.
What does "elated" mean in this sentence?
extremely happy
A ___ is a basic unit of meaning in a poem.
line
A paragraph explaining how photosynthesis works to convert sunlight into energy.
What is the purpose?
Inform
What is EXPLICIT central idea?
The author states the central idea directly in the text.
In the short story "The Story of Keesh," a young boy overcomes great odds to become the most respected hunter in his village by using his wits rather than just brute strength.
Which of the following best states the theme?
B. Intelligence and perseverance can help you overcome great challenges.
Unlike his gregarious brother, James was shy and reserved.
What does gregarious mean?
outgoing
A ____ is a group of lines.
stanza
A commercial for a new brand of sneaker that claims it is the most comfortable shoe ever made.
What is the purpose?
Persuade
What is IMPLICIT central idea?
The author DOES NOT state the central idea or insight directly. You must examine the details in the text and conclude based on reasoning and evidence.
Madison notices her Grandma is sad living in the city. She decides to help Grandma plant her favorite flower, the Queen of the Night, to make her feel more at home.
What is the theme of this story?
C. Small acts of kindness can help others feel like they belong.
After the heavy rains, the stream became murky; in fact, the water was so cloudy you couldn't see the bottom.
What does murky mean?
dark/cloudy
What does "end-stopped" mean?
The grammatical structure and the poetic thought are completed at the end of the line.
A fictional story about a young girl traveling through a magical, imaginary land.
What is the purpose?
Entertain
Balancing on a bike is easy when you are pedaling but harder when you are stopped. When the wheels are spinning, they act like a gyroscope. A wheel spinning in an upright position tends to keep that position, which is the same reason a spinning top stays upright until it stops.
What is the central idea of this passage?
B. The science behind how spinning wheels help a bicycle stay balanced
A fox brags to all the other animals about how fast he is. However, when he gets stuck in a fence, it is the slow turtle who has to find a way to help him out.
Which statement represents the theme?
C. Arrogance can lead to trouble, and you should value everyone’s strengths.
The debris on the stadium floor included numerous paper cups, ticket stubs, and napkins.
What is the definition of debris?
trash
What does "enjambed" mean?
The grammatical structure and sense continue past the end of the line.
A flyer with a map, dates, and times for a local community clean-up event.
What is the purpose?
Inform
Passage: "Cactuses can live in dry places because of their parts. Most cactuses have waxy skin and thick, fleshy stems. The stems hold water, and the skin keeps the water from escaping. Cactuses also have long roots that spread wide to collect water when it rains."
Which statement best describes the central idea of the passage?
A. Cactuses are dangerous plants.
B. Waxy skin is better than thick stems.
C. Cactus parts help them survive in dry climates.
D. Cactuses only grow in deserts.
C. Cactus parts help them survive in dry climates.
A poem describes an arrow shot into the air and a song sung into the world. Years later, the author finds the arrow unbroken in an oak tree and the song still living in the heart of a friend.
What is the message the author wants to get across?
The things we say and do can have a lasting impact on others.
Jerry often drove at hypersonic speeds, even though he had stopped racing cars years ago.
What does hypersonic mean?
fast
Is this an example of end-stopped or enjambed?
The squirrel ran up the tall
oak tree to find a brown
nut hidden in the leaves.
He chirped a happy song.
enjambed