Subject, Main Idea, Author’s Purpose and Theme The “Big Dogs” Subject, Main Idea, Author’s Purpose and Theme

Subject Topic of the text Identified in a word or short phrase How to identify the subject: What is the piece of writing about?

Try this one… What is the subject of this story? The Tortoise & the Hare

Main Idea Message of the text How to identify the Main Idea: State what the author is saying about the subject How to identify the Main Idea: Identify subject Look at title, conclusion, and first sentence of each paragraph What are the repeated phrases/ideas (5 W’s) Read the conclusion; does it support the ideas What is the author proposing, defending, arguing, satirizing, illustrating or explaining

Main Idea (cont.) Identify the main idea (cont.) Look for a sentence that states the main idea If the main idea is not stated directly, it may be implied or suggested How is the author trying to change the audience view?

Main Idea Statement How to write a statement of the main idea: “In (title of text), author (proposes, defends, argues, satirizes, illustrates, explains, etc.) thesis or argument.” Ex: In Holes, Louis Sachar illustrates the importance of friendship and its impact on society.

Try out writing a main idea statement… Use the story of “The Tortoise & the Hare” “In (title of text), author (proposes, defends, argues, satirizes, illustrates, explains, etc.) thesis or argument.”

Author’s Purpose How to identify Author’s Purpose: Here are your choices: entertain persuade describe identify instruct which best describes the author’s reason for writing the text? What is the author trying to do? http://www.readingupgrade.com/cu/demo.htm

Author’s Purpose Statement (Author’s name) purpose for writing (title of the piece) is to (entertain, persuade, describe, identify, instruct – choose one) the reader and (connect to main idea). Example: “Louis Sachar’s purpose for writing holes is to entertain the reader and illustrate the importance of friendship in today’s society.”

For each of the following political cartoons, identify: Practice Time! For each of the following political cartoons, identify: Subject Main Idea Author’s Point of View