Main Idea & Theme
What is the difference between main idea and theme?
Main idea = what the text is mostly about; Theme = lesson or message
What should you analyze to understand a character?
Answer: Actions, thoughts, and feelings
What is the main idea in nonfiction?
The central idea the author wants you to understand.
What is text evidence?
Answer: Proof from the text
How should you start an argumentative essay?
Answer: In my opinion../ I think/ I believe..
What is the main idea and theme?
Answer: What the text is mostly about and The lesson or message of the story
A character goes from shy to confident. What does this show?
Answer: Character change
A statement believed to be true in an argumentative/persuasive informative passage.
Where should evidence come from and how should it be written in a RACE strategy?
Explain how you know if it's an argumentative or informative essay.
Answer: by reading the instructions that states whether it's an informative or argumentative composition.
Why is this NOT a theme: “Friendship”?
It’s a topic, not a message/lesson
Which BEST shows theme in fiction?
A. Setting details
B. Character’s lesson learned
C. Character’s name
B. Character's lesson learned
What supports the main idea?
Answer: Key details
Which is BEST evidence?
A. Opinion
B. Quote from text
C. Guess
B. Quote from text
How many answers or ideas should you include in a SCR?
Answer: ONE clear answer with evidence
Which is the best theme?
A. Dogs are fun
B. Practice helps you improve
C. The boy plays soccer
B. Practice helps you improve
Why is dialogue important?
Answer: It reveals character and change
Which is MOST likely a main idea?
A. A small detail
B. A repeated idea across paragraphs
C. A random fact
B. A repeated idea across paragraphs
Why is evidence important?
Answer: It proves your answer
How many answers or ideas should you include in an ECR?
Answer: TWO body paragraphs (two pieces of evidence supporting ONE claim)
Students wrote a summary instead of theme. What mistake did they make?
Answer: They retold events instead of identifying the message
Students focused only on feelings instead of actions. What is the Misconception?
Confusing emotions with character development
Why do authors include text features?
Answer: To help explain information
In your RACE strategy for your ECR and SCR. Students answered correctly but lost points. Why?
Answer: No evidence included.
Don't forget your quotation marks.
Students gave an opinion on an informative essay. Why is this wrong?
Answer: Informative writing explains facts, not opinions