Main Idea
What is the main idea of a passage?
The most important idea the text is about
What is an inference?
What I know + what I read= an inference
What is the first step on a PLOT Mountain?
Exposition.
What is an author’s point?
The main idea or opinion they are supporting.
What is the difference between first person and third person point of view?
First person point of view is when the narrator is IN the story and a third person point of view is when the narrator is OUTSIDE of the story.
What details help support the main idea?
Key facts, examples, and explanations
If a character is shivering and wearing a coat, what can you infer?
It is cold outside.
What part of the PLOT Mountain describes the turning point of the story?
Climax
What are reasons in a text?
Statements that explain why the author’s point is true
How do you know if two texts have the same theme?
They have the same lesson or message.
Read this passage: “Bees are important pollinators. They help plants grow by carrying pollen from flower to flower.” What is the main idea?
Bees help plants grow by pollinating them.
Read this sentence: “Maria’s stomach growled as she stared at her lunchbox.” What can you infer?
Maria is hungry.
Describe the falling action.
The part of the story that comes after the climax and is leading to the resolution. This can be more than one event!
What is evidence in a text?
Facts, examples, or data that support reasons.
I couldn’t believe it when I finally reached the top of the mountain. My legs ached, but the view was worth every step. I read about this in a book while I was researching for my hike. Nothing in that book could have prepared me for how breathtakingly beautiful this view would be.
Question: What POV is this written in AND what clues told you that?
First person POV: "I", "My"
Lily loved exploring the woods behind her house. One day, she found a small, injured bird and decided to take care of it. She fed it, made a soft bed, and kept it safe until it was strong enough to fly again. When the bird finally flew away, Lily felt proud and happy. She knew she had made a difference.
Question: What is the main idea of this passage?
Lily took care of an injured bird.
Mia shivered as she pulled her jacket tighter around her. She watched the trees sway, their branches bending with each powerful gust of wind. Dark clouds covered the sky, and the streetlights flickered. She hurried her steps, hoping to get home before it started. Just as she reached her front door, a loud boom echoed across the sky.
Question: What can you infer is about to happen?
A storm is about to start.
Liam had always wanted to win the school spelling bee. He studied every night, practicing words with his mom and writing them over and over. On the day of the competition, his heart pounded as he stepped up to the microphone. He carefully spelled the final word—and the judge smiled. Cheers filled the room as Liam realized he had won!
Question: Which part of the plot is when Liam studies every night?
Rising Action (Middle)
Read this argument: “Recess should be longer because kids need exercise and it helps them focus in class.” What is one reason?
Kids need exercise.
Passage 1 (First-Person POV):
I gripped my pencil tightly as I stared at the test in front of me. My hands felt sweaty, and my heart pounded in my chest. I had studied for hours, but suddenly, my mind went blank. Taking a deep breath, I tried to focus and remember what I had learned. I knew I had to stay calm and do my best.
Passage 2 (Third-Person POV):
Liam sat at his desk, staring at the test paper in front of him. His hands trembled slightly as he gripped his pencil, and his heart pounded. He had studied for hours, but at that moment, his mind went completely blank. He took a deep breath, trying to clear his thoughts and focus. He reminded himself to stay calm and do his best.
Question: How does the first-person point of view in Passage 1 change the way the reader understands the character’s feelings compared to the third-person point of view in Passage 2?
First-person point of view helps the reader feel more connected to the character’s emotions, like they are inside the character’s mind. Third-person point of view feels more like watching the character from the outside, but it still shows what they are thinking and feeling.
Jack had always been afraid of swimming, but he wanted to overcome his fear. Every day, he practiced by putting his feet in the water and slowly getting used to it. His older sister encouraged him and taught him how to float and kick. After weeks of practice, Jack finally swam across the pool by himself. He felt proud because he didn’t give up.
Question: What is the main idea of this passage?
Jack practiced swimming and overcame his fear.
ason stared at the clock and tapped his pencil against his desk. His classmates had already turned in their papers, but he was still writing. He glanced at the teacher, who was watching him closely. Letting out a deep breath, he quickly scribbled his last sentence and rushed to the front of the room. As he sat back down, he wiped his sweaty hands on his jeans.
Question: What can you infer about Jason?
He is feeling nervous about finishing his work on time.
Liam had always wanted to win the school spelling bee. He studied every night, practicing words with his mom and writing them over and over. On the day of the competition, his heart pounded as he stepped up to the microphone. He carefully spelled the final word—and the judge smiled. Cheers filled the room as Liam realized he had won!
Question:Describe the Climax of the story.
He spells the final word!
Lena believed that waking up early made her day more productive. She noticed that on the days she got up at 6 AM, she had more time to finish her homework and still play outside. Her friend Mia, who slept in until 10 AM, often felt rushed and struggled to complete her assignments. Lena also read that many successful people wake up early to start their day with a clear mind. Because of this, she was convinced that waking up early helped people accomplish more.
Question: What is the author's claim in this passage?
Waking up early helps people be more productive.
Passage 1 (First-Person POV):
The wind howled as I pulled my coat tighter around me. My fingers ached from the cold, and my breath came out in quick, white puffs. I had never been this high on the mountain before, and the steep drop beside me made my stomach twist. I forced myself to keep moving, placing each step carefully. If I let fear take over, I knew I wouldn’t make it to the top.
Passage 2 (Third-Person POV):
Ethan braced himself against the fierce wind, gripping his coat tightly around him. His fingers ached from the cold, and his breath escaped in quick, white puffs. He had never climbed this high before, and the steep drop beside him made his stomach twist. Forcing himself to keep moving, he placed each step carefully. He knew that if he let fear take over, he might not make it to the top.
Question: How does the first-person point of view in Passage 1 make the reader feel closer to the character’s experience compared to the third-person point of view in Passage 2?
The first-person point of view in Passage 1 makes the reader feel like they are experiencing the climb themselves. The character says "I", so we know exactly what they are thinking and feeling. It feels more personal, like we are inside their head.
In Passage 2, the third-person point of view uses "he" instead of "I." This means we are watching Ethan from the outside instead of feeling what he feels directly. We still understand his fear and struggle, but it doesn’t feel as personal as the first-person passage.