The Difference Between Main Idea and Theme - Working In The Schools (2024)

FAQs

The Difference Between Main Idea and Theme - Working In The Schools? ›

The main idea is what the book is mostly about. The theme is the message, lesson, or moral of a book. By asking crucial questions at before you read, while you read, and after you read a book, you can determine the main idea and theme of any book you are reading!

The major distinction between theme and the main idea is that the former is a lesson or moral, whilst the latter informs us about the plot.

The main idea of a text only applies to that specific text. It lists the characters' or subjects' names and plot points that are unique to the story or article. Themes are general. The same theme could apply to different texts with different characters or plot points.

What to Keep in Mind About Topic and Theme as You Write. The main thing to remember about topic is that it pertains to the story's “what.” It's driven by facts and specifics, whereas theme deals with the big picture and overall meaning that reveal why the story matters.

Main idea and theme are often confused as being the same. Although both can be related, theme is a broad topic, whereas main idea is more specific. (For example, nature may be the theme of a story, whereas the main idea is “l*ttering is bad”).

Themes are the main ideas that lie beneath the surface of a text. When working with a short extract of a fiction text, it helps to look closely at the language to work out the themes.

What are some examples of themes? Some examples of themes in literature are love, redemption, forgiveness, coming of age, revenge, good vs evil, bravery and hardship.

What is the difference between THEME and MAIN IDEA? Theme is a universal lesson and the main idea is what the story is about. The theme is what the story is about and main idea is the universal lesson it teaches.

The main idea is a sentence that provides the subject for discussion; it is the topic sentence. It is usually supported by a list of details. If you can tell what the supporting details have in common, you can discover the main idea. great heat of the desert sun at noon and in the bitter cold of the desert at night.

The topic is the broad, general theme or message. It is what some call the subject. The main idea is the "key concept" being expressed.

What is the main idea of a story? ›

Theme is the main or central idea in a literary work. It is the unifying element of a story. A theme is not a summary of characters or events. Rather, it is the controlling idea or central insight of the story.

Themes are often distinguished from premises. The most common contemporary understanding of theme is an idea or point that is central to a story, which can often be summed in a single word (for example, love, death, betrayal).

: the main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc. The quest for power is the underlying theme of the film.

The main idea is what the book is mostly about. The theme is the message, lesson, or moral of a book. By asking crucial questions at before you read, while you read, and after you read a book, you can determine the main idea and theme of any book you are reading!

Theme is what a story is about, and main idea is the universal lesson it teaches.

Main Idea of an Essay

The main idea is the concept being expressed or examined throughout the essay. The main idea is the gist, meaning what it is mostly about; it is what the whole text says about the topic of the essay. The thesis statement, topic sentences, and supporting sentences will all connect to this idea.

An example of main idea can be found in the classic story of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. The story is about two young kids who fall in love, but their families are bitter enemies. The main idea of Romeo and Juliet centers around the power of love.

It is a message or lesson about life that is broadly applicable—it can be true for situations beyond the story. It is a statement, not just a topic. That is, “friendship” is not a theme. However, “Friendship can bring comfort in times of hardship” could be a theme.