Main Ideas in Literature What they are and how to find them.

Reading like a writer component #1: IDEAS - Ideas are the heart of the piece - Ideas are what the writer is saying about the information he/she chooses to reveal about it

What is a ‘main idea’? It is a claim (an assertion) about the subject of the passage. It's also the thought that holds the whole passage together. Thus, it must be general enough to include all the ideas in the passage. Like a net, it holds everything together.

To find a main idea in literature, we ask questions like these: How does the writer reveal the main idea? What types of details does the writer use? How does the writer’s choice of ideas affect the reader?

How to find the main idea? Consider the event(s) that has (have) occurred in the passage Observe how the author characterizes someone, what they reveal about a character’s reaction to something. Identify how the author feels towards the scene and how they want you to feel (tone and mood) Try and understand why the author has made a conscious decision to include certain details in the piece

Let’s look at an example… Lord of the Flies page 79 Beginning at: “Where did you find the pig?” (near top of the page)

Double Entry Journal.doc Double Entry Journals Double Entry Journal.doc

Prompts for double entry journal: I noticed… I wonder… I was reminded of… I think… I’m surprised that… I’d like to know… I realized… If I were… The central issue(s) is (are)… One consequence of ________ could be… I’m not sure… Although it seems…

For example: I realized after reading the boys’ re-enactment of the ‘pig slaughtering’ that they have grown incredibly savage and ruthless. Is it apparent that the boys seem to take pleasure in their ability to dominate other living creatures on the island. After reading this scene, it seems Golding is trying to highlight how even the most “civil”, or innocent human beings can become unrestrained merciless.

Your task tonight: Read chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies AND Complete a double entry journal using 3 prompts on your handout