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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. 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.

7. 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.”

8. 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?

9. 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.”

10. 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