Big Ideas in Reading
Define the theme of a story.
What is: the underlying message, or universal concept about life, humanity, or the world that the author conveys through the narrative.
What does it mean to "cite evidence"?
It means providing specific facts, examples, quotations, or other forms of support to justify a claim or statement, ensuring the information is credible and allowing the audience to check the source.
What is the difference between a claim and a thematic statement?
A claim is an essay's specific argument designed to persuade the reader about a particular aspect of a text, while a thematic statement expresses a text's broader, universal message or lesson about life. A claim is often found in informational text, while a thematic statement is found when defending fictional writing.
Choose the correct verb tense: Yesterday, she (run/ran) to school.
The correct verb is ran. The word "yesterday" indicates a completed past event, and "ran" is the simple past tense of the irregular verb "run".
What does it mean to compare texts?
It means to analyze two or more written works to identify and explore their similarities and differences in various aspects, such as their themes, characters, style, structure, and authorial intent.
Define the central idea of a story.
What is: the core message or the primary insight the author is conveying through the narrative.
Why is it important to use relevant evidence when supporting a claim?
It is important because it transforms an argument from a mere opinion into a credible and persuasive statement by grounding it in facts, data, or expert insights.
Give an example of a strong transition word to connect ideas in writing.
A strong transition word that connects ideas by showing contrast is however, therefore, furthermore and similarly.
Correct this run-on: The dog barked it was hungry.
This is the simplest fix and works well when the clauses express two distinct but related ideas.
You can use a semicolon to connect two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning.
Explain how two authors take different approaches to the same topic.
Opposing viewpoints: Authors can deliberately present arguments from opposing points of view on a controversial issue. By comparing their reasons, evidence, and interpretations, readers can assess both sides of the debate.
Point of view: The perspective from which a story is told changes how the reader experiences it. First-person narration ("I") provides an intimate, subjective view, while third-person narration ("he," "she," "they") can offer a more objective or broader view.
How does the setting influence the plot?
The setting establishes mood, shaping conflict, enabling or restricting characters' actions, and serving as a backdrop for character development and thematic exploration. This helps move everything forward in the story.
Explain how evidence supports both a theme and the author's purpose.
Evidence in writing supports a theme by providing specific details that illustrate the message, and it supports the author's purpose by showing why the author chose to convey that message.
Explain how topic sentences and supporting details work together in a paragraph.
The topic sentence presents the paragraph's main idea, while the supporting sentences provide specific evidence, examples, or explanations to develop and reinforce that idea.
Add commas to this sentence: Before eating the kids washed their hands.
Before eating, the children washed their hands. When a phrase or clause comes at the beginning of a sentence and sets the stage for the main action, use a comma to separate it.
What is the difference between a claim and a counterclaim in an argument?
A claim is a statement of the main point or position that an author or speaker wants to prove, supported by reasons and evidence.
A counterclaim is a statement that presents an opposing or opposite viewpoint to the original claim, acknowledging that there are different perspectives on the issue.
Explain how a character’s decision at the climax changes the outcome of the story.
A character's decision at the climax changes the outcome of the story by acting as the ultimate turning point that resolves the central conflict. The character's journey and growth throughout the narrative, determines the story's final resolution.
Paraphrasing is when you restate a source's idea in your own words and sentence structure, while directly citing (or quoting) involves copying the exact words from a source, enclosed in quotation marks. Both methods require a citation to give the original author credit.
Identify three ways to strengthen an argument in writing without adding more words.
Three ways to strengthen a written argument without adding more words are to use precise language, include effective counterarguments, and use the active voice.
Rewrite the following sentence in the active voice.
The homework was completed by Maria before dinner.
Active voice: Maria completed the homework before dinner.
How does analyzing two texts together give you a deeper understanding of an issue?
Analyzing two texts together provides a deeper understanding of an issue by highlighting different perspectives. By moving beyond a single source, you can synthesize information, identify biases, and gain a more complete picture of the topic.
Identify and explain the different parts of Freytag's Pyramid.
Exposition - sets the stage for the story - place - time - characters - beginning of problem etc.
Rising Action events that occur and build a story
Climax the moment of greatest tension, conflict, or excitement in the narrative.
Falling Action events that close up a story and lead to the conclusion
Resolution: Solution to the problem
Provide an example on the board of what correct direct citation structure looks like using the following information.
And so the bird flies long and high to reach its final destination.
Edgar Allan Poe
Page 66
"And so the bird flies long and high to reach its final destination" (Poe 66).
Read the following sentence:
"The city streets were a river of glowing lights, flowing endlessly through the night."
Identify the type of figurative language used in the sentence.
Explain how it contributes to the mood or meaning of the sentence.
Type of figurative language:
Metaphor — the city streets are compared to a river of lights without using “like” or “as.”
How it contributes to the mood or meaning:
It creates a vivid image of the city at night, showing movement and brightness.
It sets a lively, flowing, almost magical mood, emphasizing the continuous energy of the city.
Choose the sentence in which the dash is used correctly and explain why.
A) I have three favorite hobbies—reading, painting, and hiking.
B) I have three favorite hobbies, reading—painting and hiking.
C) I have three favorite hobbies reading, painting, and—hiking.
D) I have—three favorite hobbies reading, painting, and hiking.
A) I have three favorite hobbies—reading, painting, and hiking.
A dash can be used to emphasize or set off information in a sentence, often to add an explanation or list.
Option A correctly introduces the list with a dash after the main clause.
How can two texts with different genres (like a poem and a short story) explore the same theme?
Two texts with different genres can explore the same theme by using their unique stylistic elements, structural approaches, and specific literary devices to convey universal ideas. A poem might use vivid imagery and symbolism to evoke emotion around a theme, while a short story could develop it through a character's journey.