Theme vs. Main IdeaTheme vs. Main Idea

Get to the Point!Get to the Point!

Can you find it?Can you find it?See if you can find the

main idea in the following paragraph…

See if you can find the main idea in the following paragraph…

Exercise can help the body in various ways. To begin with, daily exercise can help keep the body at a healthy weight. More importantly, exercise can help reduce stress levels in the body. When you have a difficult test or quiz coming up, a great way to relax is to…move! Exercise is great stress relief.

Exercise can help the body in various ways. To begin with, daily exercise can help keep the body at a healthy weight. More importantly, exercise can help reduce stress levels in the body. When you have a difficult test or quiz coming up, a great way to relax is to…move! Exercise is great stress relief.

Exercise can help the body in various ways.

Exercise can help the body in various ways.

This is the main idea. What details did you see that

support that main idea?How did you know it was the

main idea?

This is the main idea. What details did you see that

support that main idea?How did you know it was the

main idea?

Prentice Hall Literature says…Prentice Hall Literature says…Central point that a speaker or writer

wants to communicateIn essays, the main idea is usually

seen in the thesis statementMain ideas are general statements

that need supporting details to explain them

Central point that a speaker or writer wants to communicate

In essays, the main idea is usually seen in the thesis statement

Main ideas are general statements that need supporting details to explain them

Main Idea

Connection to SelfConnection to Self

What was the main idea of your piece of writing?“Master of My Fate”

What were your supporting details?

What was the main idea of your piece of writing?“Master of My Fate”

What were your supporting details?

Can you find it?Can you find it?Think about some of the

stories from your childhood

What were the themes in those?

Think about some of the stories from your childhood

What were the themes in those?

Red Riding HoodRed Riding Hood

What is the theme in this children’s story?Stranger DangerDon’t walk aloneHow do you know?

What is the theme in this children’s story?Stranger DangerDon’t walk aloneHow do you know?

GoldilocksGoldilocks

Don’t take things that are not yoursHow do you know?

Don’t take things that are not yoursHow do you know?

Prentice Hall Literature says…Prentice Hall Literature says…A theme is a central message,

concern, or insightUsually expressed in a 1 or 2 sentence

statement about human beings or lifeUsually not stated directlyCan be multiple

A theme is a central message, concern, or insight

Usually expressed in a 1 or 2 sentence statement about human beings or life

Usually not stated directlyCan be multiple

Theme

Connection to the TextConnection to the TextWhat is the theme (central

message) in the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost?

The Road Not Taken

What is the theme (central message) in the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost?

The Road Not Taken

The NecklaceThe NecklaceWhat are the theme(s) in “The

Necklace”?What are the theme(s) in “The

Necklace”?