Central Idea & Theme
What is the difference between central idea and theme?
Central idea = main point of a text; Theme = life lesson or message
What is textual evidence?
Proof from the text that supports an answer
What is a simile?
Comparison using like or as
What does “context clues” mean?
Hints in the text to understand a word
What is a claim?
A statement or argument
What is a theme?
A message or lesson about life
What does it mean to “cite evidence”?
Quote or refer to the text to support thinking
What is a metaphor?
Direct comparison (does not use like or as)
What are synonyms?
Words with similar meanings
What is a thesis statement?
Main argument of an essay
How do you find a central idea?
Look for repeated ideas and important details
Why is strong evidence important?
It proves your answer is correct
What is personification?
Giving human traits to non-human things
What are antonyms?
Words with opposite meanings
What is a transition?
A word/phrase that connects ideas
What does it mean to “develop a theme”?
The author builds it through events, characters, and details
Which is better: weak or strong evidence? Why?
Strong—because it clearly supports the claim
What is hyperbole?
Extreme exaggeration
How can you figure out an unknown word?
Use surrounding words, tone, and examples
What should a conclusion do?
Restate the claim and wrap up ideas
How can multiple texts share a theme?
They communicate the same message in different ways
What makes evidence relevant?
It directly supports the claim or idea
Why do authors use figurative language?
To create imagery and deepen meaning
Why is word choice important?
It affects tone and meaning
What does it mean to revise writing?
Improve clarity, structure, and ideas