MAIN IDEA & THEME
What is the main idea of a passage?
The most important point or message of the text.
What does “context clues” mean?
Hints in the text that help readers figure out word meanings.
What is text evidence?
Details or quotes from the text that support an answer.
What is a simile?
A comparison using “like” or “as.”
What are the 3 main author purposes?
To inform, persuade, or entertain.
What is a theme?
The lesson or message the author wants readers to learn.
“The exhausted runner collapsed onto the bench.”
What does exhausted mean?
Very tired.
“The boy shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at the floor.”
What can the reader infer?
The boy may feel nervous, guilty, or uncomfortable.
“He was as fast as lightning.”
What figurative language is this?
Simile
An article teaching how volcanoes erupt is written to…
Inform
A story teaches that working together helps people succeed. What is the theme?
Teamwork leads to success.
“The abandoned house loomed at the end of the street.”
What feeling does the word loomed create?
A feeling of fear, mystery, or danger.
Why is citing text evidence important?
It proves and supports your answer.
“The wind whispered through the trees.”
What figurative language is this?
Personification
A commercial convincing people to buy shoes is meant to…
Persuade
Which detail BEST supports the main idea?
A. The dog barked loudly.
B. The family searched for hours until they found the lost child.
C. It started raining at noon.
D. The car was blue.
B. The family searched for hours until they found the lost child.
“The storm caused massive destruction across the town.”
What does destruction most likely mean?
Damage or ruin.
What words often introduce text evidence?
According to the text…
The author states…
For example…
“I’m so hungry I could eat a mountain.”
What figurative language is this?
Hyperbole.
“Thousands of children are suffering without access to clean water—imagine if it were your family.”
Which appeal is used?
Ethos, Pathos, Logos
Pathos
What is the difference between theme and main idea?
Main idea = what the text is mostly about.
Theme = the lesson/message learned.
Why should readers use context clues instead of immediately using a dictionary?
It helps readers understand words while continuing to read smoothly.
Read the passage excerpt:
“Although Elena smiled and congratulated Maya, she tightened her grip on the trophy until her knuckles turned white.”
What does this detail MOST suggest about Elena?
Elena may secretly feel jealous, upset, or competitive despite pretending to be happy.
A narrator describes a city as “a glittering cage.” What does this metaphor MOST likely suggest about the narrator’s perspective?
The city appears attractive or exciting but also feels trapping or limiting.
A scientist presents research and cites multiple peer-reviewed studies, but also uses emotional stories about patients. What combination of appeals is used and why?
Ethos (scientist credibility), logos (research and studies), and pathos (patient stories) to strengthen the argument and persuade different types of audiences.