Theme and Central Idea
True or False: Theme CAN be expressed as one word.
False
What is another way to describe the central idea?
The central idea is what the passage or reading section is mainly about.
__________is the events of a narrative in a novel, movie, play, etc.
Plot
The boy lingered in the stands after the concert. He was hoping to watch the band members pack up. What does "lingered" mean?
Stayed
The three students decided to collaborate on the project since they all had different talents to share. What does "collaborate" mean?
Work together
To determine theme, you should ask yourself, What did the character(s) _____________?
learn
What is the central idea of “Refugee”?
The central idea of Refugee is survival and courage from the point of view of the refugee.
_______________ is when a story hints at future actions.
foreshadowing
My objective was to get to work on time each day, so I would not get fired. What does "objective" mean?
Goal
This school has a lot of diversity. We have students from many races, religions, and cultural backgrounds. What does "diversity" mean?
Different kinds of things or people together
In order to determine the theme of a story, readers have to think beyond the small details.
Instead, readers must figure out the big _____________ to determine theme.
Moral or lesson
A text can have ________ themes.
multiple
_________ is the section of a story that leads toward its climax.
Rising Action
Our hockey team was far superior to any other team in the league. We had not lost a game yet! What does "superior" mean?
The best
Cheerleaders are a boisterous group. They spend a lot of time jumping and shouting to energize the players and the fans. What does "boisterous" mean?
Loud, noisy, energetic
Give an example of a common theme
Any theme
What is the difference between theme and central idea?
The central idea is mostly what the story is about (a short summary). The theme is the life lesson or moral that the author wants us to remember. It may have nothing to do with the details of the story itself.
What is it called when a story goes back in time to show information about a character?
Flashback
The gymnast was so agile. I was amazed at the graceful way she moved during the floor routine. What does "agile" mean?
Flexible, able to bend and move in many ways
The auditorium looks like it is filled to capacity. I don't think we will find an empty seat. What does "capacity" mean?
The largest amount possible
Tim hated his old baseball glove. He wanted to play with a new glove. He didn’t have any money, so he decided to steal it. When Tim got caught stealing the glove, his parents said he couldn’t play baseball all summer. What is the theme?
Stealing is wrong and is not worth getting caught
What is a theme of “Refugee”?
Answers will vary
What is another name for the climax of the story?
Turning Point
Keep your speech concise to save time. We have many students who need to present their reports. What does "concise" mean?
Short
Nina was completely inept at cooking. She seemed to burn everything she tried to cook. What does "inept" mean?
Have little or no skill