Theme
What is theme?
The lesson/message of the story. It is UNIVERSAL
What is text evidence?
Using details or quotes from the text to support your answer
What are the four main purposes?
To inform, persuade, entertain, describe
What is tone? What is mood?
Tone = author’s attitude; Mood = feeling of the reader
Is figurative language literal?
Ex: the horse was as tall as a mountain.
NO. Figurative language uses comparisons or imagery to create a non-literal description that helps the reader form mental images of something.
What is the difference between a theme and summary?
A theme is a lesson. A summary is an overview of what the story was about.
"He walked down the silent hallway towards the class room. His hands shook as he opened the door."
What piece of text evidence shows the character is nervous?
If you wrote a letter to your parents trying to convince them to let you get a dog, what would be the author's purpose of the letter?
Persuade (you want to argue your parents SHOULD do something)
Explain the difference between tone and mood.
Tone is how the author feels; mood is how the reader feels
Identify the type of figurative language: “Her smile was like sunshine.”
Simile
“After cheating on a test, Sam failed the class and lost his friend’s trust.”
Q: What is the theme? Use evidence.
Ms. Thompson skipped up the stairs on the way to see her middle schoolers. She beamed as she entered the class room, greeting each student with a smile.
What text evidence supports that Ms. Thompson is happy?
She was skipping and smiling
“Recycling helps reduce waste and protect the environment. Everyone should recycle.”
What is the author’s purpose? Explain how you know.
Persuade. The author uses “should” to encourage action
The night was silent, and the shadows stretched across the walls.
What is the mood?
Scary, suspense, creepy, etc.
“The classroom was a zoo.”
What kind of figurative language? What does it mean?
Explain if the following is or is not a theme.
In the three little pigs, the theme is don't build a house out of straw.
This is NOT a theme because it is specific to the actions of the story. Instead a theme would be "laziness leads to failure" or "hard work and planning pays off"
Jordan studied every night, asked questions in class, and turned in assignments early.
Use two pieces of evidence to explain what this shows about Jordan.
Example answer: Jordan studies and turns in work early, showing he is responsible and dedicated
Would informational texts use facts or opinions?
Facts
Which tone is the most critical in the following passages?
a. The man on the train clipped his fingernails. It took him 2 minutes and 8 seconds. He started on his pinky and finished with his thumb. When he was finished, he put the clippers back into his jacket pocket.
b.The man—right in the middle of the crowded train—began to clip his long, yellow fingernails. He did it slowly, as if he didn't even care that a dozen other people could see and hear him.
b. The man—right in the middle of the crowded train—began to clip his long, yellow fingernails. He did it slowly, as if he didn't even care that a dozen other people could see and hear him.
How does figurative language help readers?
It helps create vivid images and deeper meaning
“Lena practiced daily, even when she wanted to quit. In the end, she won the competition.”
Q: Explain how the character’s choices/actions helps develop the theme.
Lena's persistence shows that hard work leads to success.
Even though he was afraid, Leo stepped forward to speak. His voice shook, but he finished his speech.
Explain how this text evidence reveals Leo’s character.
Leo is brave and courageous because he finishes despite his fear.
What is the author's purpose for each of the following passages?
1. You should make vegetables part of your meals. Since vegetables improve health, everyone should eat them.
2. The fire breathing dragon was ten times the size of the boy. But the boy refused to be scared, he had been training his whole life for this moment.
3. The University of Pittsburgh was founded in 1787. It is now home to over 30,000 students
1. Persuade
2. Entertain
3. Inform
“The storm roared as lightning split the sky, and the wind howled through the trees.”
What words create the tone and mood?
Words like “roared” and “howled” create a tense tone and a scary mood.
“The wind whispered through the trees as the night crept in.”
The wind “whispered” and night “crept” uses personification to create a creepy tone.