Theme & Central Idea
This term refers to the underlying message or lesson in a literary text.
What is theme?
This term describes the sequence of events in a story.
What is plot?
This figure of speech compares two things using “like” or “as.”
What is a simile?
This structure explains events in the order they happened.
What is chronological order?
What does “benevolent” most likely mean in the sentence: “The benevolent leader donated to charity”?
What is kind or generous?
Identify the central idea of a text that explains how recycling benefits the environment.
What is recycling helps protect natural resources and reduce waste?
What is the term for the turning point in a story?
What is climax?
Identify the tone: “The abandoned house loomed with eerie silence.”
What is spooky?
Which text structure compares similarities and differences?
What is compare and contrast?
Which prefix means “against” in the word “antibiotic”?
What is anti-?
When determining theme, why is it important to look at character actions and conflicts?
What is they reveal the author’s message through choices and struggles?
How does a character’s motivation affect the plot?
What is it drives their actions, influencing conflicts and resolutions?
What is the difference between tone and mood?
What is tone is the author’s attitude, mood is the feeling for the reader?
Why might an author use cause-and-effect structure?
What is to show how one event leads to another?
Use context clues to define “elated” in: “She was elated after hearing the good news.”
What is extremely happy?
A story shows that honesty leads to trust. What is the theme?
What is honesty builds strong relationships?
Give an example of how setting can influence character decisions.
What is a storm forces characters to seek shelter, creating tension?
Give an example of personification in a sentence.
What is “The wind whispered through the trees”?
Identify the author’s purpose in a persuasive article about school uniforms.
What is to convince readers to support school uniforms?
Explain how a root word can help determine meaning.
What is it provides the base meaning, e.g., ‘act’ means to do?
Explain the difference between a topic and a theme using an example.
Example: What is friendship, while a theme is true friendship requires loyalty?
Explain how internal and external conflicts differ and give an example of each.
What is internal is within a character (e.g., guilt), external is outside (e.g., a rival)?
How does figurative language enhance meaning in a text?
What is it creates vivid imagery and deeper emotional impact?
How does text structure help readers understand complex ideas?
What is it organizes information logically for clarity?
What does “incredulous” mean in: “He gave her an incredulous look after hearing the story”?
What is skeptical or disbelieving?