What is the meaning of thesis?

Listen to the following report from NPR and summarize the main idea

into one thesis statement.

Agenda• NPR report analysis• Agenda• Announcements/Reminders• Review Homework• Context Clues Presentation• Student on the Spot Interview

Homework Review

Take out your homework so that we may review context clues.

AND

Trade with a neighbor and write “Graded by” and your name to

check each other’s work.

What is the definition of pedestrian?Sure, a person who travels by foot, a walker.

But what about in this sentence?He ultimately took on a task that made shooting

down missiles seem pedestrian.

Lacking in vitality, imagination, distinction, etc.; commonplace; prosaic or dull.

What’s the difference between these two?

Agenda• Bellwork• Agenda• Pass out papers• Announcements/Reminders• Context Clues Presentation• Video presentation

Announcements/Reminders

• Any students who have not yet taken their test, please let me know immediately.

• All students who checked out a copy of The Glass Castle, A Gathering of Old Men, The Hunger Games, or The Color of Water need to return them ASAP.

• Completed journals are due next Tuesday.

• Formative Assessments and Quarter Exams are next week. Be ready.

Context Clues – What Are They?

• Context clues are bits of information from the text that, when combined with prior knowledge, allow you to decide the meaning of unknown words in the story or article you are reading.

• As a reader you must act similar to a detective and put together clues from sentences surrounding an unknown word in order to make an intelligent “guess” as to what the definition of a word is.

Types of Context CluesTypes of Context Clues

Authors use many different Authors use many different types of context clues when types of context clues when writing texts. Three of these writing texts. Three of these types are:types are:

Direct definition context cluesDirect definition context cluesSynonym context cluesSynonym context cluesAntonym context cluesAntonym context clues

Direct definition context cluesDirect definition context clues are are words that say, “Stop - don’t touch that words that say, “Stop - don’t touch that

dictionary. The definition of the word you dictionary. The definition of the word you don’t know is right here in the text!" don’t know is right here in the text!"

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES: There are many There are many theoriestheories, , oror ideasideas, ,

about what made the Ice Ages happen.about what made the Ice Ages happen. In this sentence the word “ideas” tells us In this sentence the word “ideas” tells us

that that theoriestheories are different thoughts people are different thoughts people have about something.have about something.

After a time, After a time, glaciersglaciers, , or slowly or slowly moving rivers of icemoving rivers of ice, , formed over formed over many parts of the Earth.many parts of the Earth.

In this sentence the words “slowly moving In this sentence the words “slowly moving rivers of ice” tell us what rivers of ice” tell us what glaciersglaciers are. are.

Synonym context cluesSynonym context clues are words around a are words around a difficult word that mean the same or nearly difficult word that mean the same or nearly

the same as the word. the same as the word.

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES:

After seeing the picture of the starving After seeing the picture of the starving children, we felt children, we felt compassioncompassion or pity for or pity for their suffering.their suffering.

In this sentence the word “pity” tells us that In this sentence the word “pity” tells us that compassioncompassion means to have understanding for. means to have understanding for.

Mary Mary admonishedadmonished her students and they her students and they knew they were in hot water for their knew they were in hot water for their actions.actions.

In this sentence the words “in hot water” tell us In this sentence the words “in hot water” tell us that that admonishedadmonished means cautioned or scolded. means cautioned or scolded.

Antonym context cluesAntonym context clues are words around a are words around a difficult word that mean the opposite or difficult word that mean the opposite or

nearly the opposite as the word. nearly the opposite as the word.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

Joe was Joe was reluctantreluctant to take the job of captain to take the job of captain of the team. He was afraid that the time it of the team. He was afraid that the time it would take would hurt his grades. On the would take would hurt his grades. On the other hand, Billy was eager for the chance other hand, Billy was eager for the chance to be the team captain.to be the team captain.

In this sentence the words “on the other hand” In this sentence the words “on the other hand” and “eager” tell us that Billy feels the opposite of and “eager” tell us that Billy feels the opposite of Joe, therefore, Joe, therefore, reluctantreluctant means uncertain or means uncertain or cautious.cautious.

Student on the Spot

What is the definition of venerable?While Congress currently has a reputation of

being lazy and ill-informed, there are many venerable representatives and senators.

Venerable- deserving honor and respect especially by reason of age.

What context clues did we use to identify the meaning of venerable?

Antonym or contrasting ideas.

Agenda• Context Clue bellwork• Agenda• Announcements/Reminders• Style: Tone vs. Mood presentation• Sample passage • Student on the Spot (time allotted)

Announcements/Reminders

• All students who checked out a copy of The Glass Castle, A Gathering of Old Men, The Hunger Games, or The Color of Water need to return them ASAP.

• Notebooks and completed journals are due Wednesday.

• Formative Assessments and Quarter Exams are all this week. Be ready.

Notebooks/Journals• Pre-AP & Honors- journals for all

chapters of 2nd text should be completed.

• Traditional- notebooks should contain the following sections:– Notes– Classwork – Journals– EOC Materials– Returned Papers

STYLE

STYLE is the way the author uses words, phrases, and sentences.

The author’s 1) personal word choice/vocabulary, 2) types of sentences, 3) point of view from which the text is told,4) organization of the text.

These 4 components will reveal his/her style.

TONE

TONE is simply the author’s attitude toward the subject.

You can recognize the tone/attitude by the language/word choices the author uses. His language will reveal his perspective/opinion about the subject.

Tone must be inferred through the use of descriptive words.

Tone Example   The girls were playing in the pond, splashing each 

other and trying to catch fish with their hands. They were having fun, but kept looking over their shoulders at the looming forest. The long grass of the field kept moving and they sort of felt like they were being watched… About a half hour passed and still the girls kept checking the field for movements. It seemed like a pair of dark eyes was on them. They even considered going back inside, but that would mean homework time. So they continued splashing, but with caution now. Their eyes hardly left the field.

The tone of this passage is ominous, suggesting a little bit of fear or foreboding.  Words like "caution, dark, and looming“ lead readers to the tone. 

TONE EXAMPLE

Finally, one of the girls pointed to the grass and giggled. "Meow!" A cat sat on the edge of the field and licked its paw. They did indeed have company. The girls ran over to the cat and pet his belly. They laughed and the cat sauntered back to the field.

The tone of this passage is happy/contentment as there was a successful, happy resolution to the problem.

TONEHere’s a list of descriptive words that can 

be used to label an author’s tone.

• Bitter• Serious• Witty• Playful• Tender• Sympathetic• Haunting• Mysterious• Suspenseful

• Tasteful/distasteful• Nonchalant• Angry • Attached/Detached• Innocent• Poignant• Compassionate• Humorous• Hostile

MOOD

MOOD is the overall feelings or emotions that are created IN THE READER. 

The “power of the pen” can move mountains.  

Authors “move” their readers’ moods through their choice of words and level of detail.

MOOD EXAMPLE 

During the holidays, my mother's house glittered with decorations and hummed with preparations. We ate cookies and drank cider while we helped her wrap bright packages and trim the tree. We felt warm and excited, listening to Christmas carols and even singing along sometimes. We would tease each other about our terrible voices and then sing even louder. 

Mood: Content, happy. How do we know? Words like "warm, excited, glittered” are used by the author.

MOOD EXAMPLE

After New Year's the time came to put all the decorations away and settle in for the long, cold winter. The house seemed to sigh as we boxed up its finery. The tree was dry and brittle, and now waited forlornly by the side of the road to be picked up. 

Mood: Dreary, depressed. How do we know? "cold, sigh, brittle, forlornly"

MOOD Here’s a list of descriptive words that 

can be used to label the reader’s mood.

• Cheerful• Relieved• Gloomy• Bleak• Uncertain• Bittersweet• Relaxed • Lazy• Hopeless• Tense

• Furious• Disappointed• Dreamy, foggy• Content• Satisfied• Angry• Motivated• Inspired• Confident• Eerie

Mood vs. ToneVenn Diagram

Mood Tone

Mood vs. Tone

Listen to “Souls of the Harvest” and identify the tone of the author’s writing style and the mood intended for the reader to feel. 

What is Tone?What is mood?

Listen to the following audio narrative and identify the Tone and

Mood.

Agenda• Mood/Tone bellwork• Agenda• Announcements/Reminders• Theme presentation• Theme practice• Student on the Spot (time allotted)

Announcements/Reminders

• All students who checked out a copy of The Glass Castle, A Gathering of Old Men, The Hunger Games, or The Color of Water need to return them ASAP.

• Notebooks and completed journals are due Wednesday.

• The English Formative Assessments starts Wednesday and Quarter Exams are all this week. Be ready.

Notebooks/Journals• Pre-AP & Honors- journals for all

chapters of 2nd text should be completed.

• Traditional- notebooks should contain the following sections:– Notes– Classwork – Journals– EOC Materials– Returned Papers

What Is Theme?• Theme is the central idea or insight

revealed by a work of literature.– Theme gives meaning to the story by

providing some idea or insight about human life and human nature.

– Sometimes a work has several themes.– Themes are often universal. They apply to

people everywhere because people all over the world have common desires, needs, and experiences.

Theme vs. Subject– The subject is what the story is about.

• The subject of “The Most Dangerous Game” is hunting (humans).

– The theme states what the subject means. • The theme of “The Most Dangerous

Game” is that people who appear to be civilized may really be savage and bloodthirsty.

“The Ant and the Grasshopper”a fable by Aesop

A fable is a fictional story that features animals, mythical creatures, plants, inanimate objects or forces of nature which are anthropomorphized (given human qualities such as verbal communication), and that illustrates or

leads to an interpretation of a moral lesson (a "moral").

“The Ant and the Grasshopper”a fable by Aesop

In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. "Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?" "I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same." "Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.

“The Ant and the Grasshopper”When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and

found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they collected all summer. Then the Grasshopper knew:

It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

Is this the theme of the story? No, this is the moral.

What’s the difference between a theme and a moral?

Theme vs. Moral– The moral of a story is a rule of conduct or a

practical lesson about life.• “Slow and steady wins the race.”

– The theme is usually a much more complex and original revelation about life.• Reaching your goals requires

determination and sacrifice, but you have to be careful not to neglect your family and friends while working toward your goals.

Where Is the Theme?•A story’s theme is usually not stated directly. •All of the elements of the story—plot events, characters, setting, and dialogue—make up the theme.

Story Elements:•Brenda is athletic and wants her brother to excel in sports.•She is disappointed when her brother shows more interest in music than in sports.•After hearing her brother give a great solo performance in the youth symphony, she decides to support and encourage his musical talents.

Theme:•Allowing someone to pursue his or her own interests is more rewarding than trying to force someone to enjoy a specific activity.

Stating a Story’s ThemeGeneral guidelines for stating a story’s theme:

Step 1: Pay attention to the main character’s actions and to the conflict. Ask yourself:

•How does the main character change during the story?•What does he or she learn about life as a result of the story’s events?•How is the conflict resolved?

Stating a Story’s Theme

Step 2: Use at least one complete sentence to state the theme.

General guidelines for stating a story’s theme:

•Incorrect: “forgiveness”•Correct: “The theme is that people need to forgive past mistakes in order to move on and be happy.”

Stating a Story’s Theme

Step 3: Express the theme as a generalization about life or human nature. Do not refer to specific characters or events in the work.

General guidelines for stating a story’s theme:

•Incorrect: “The tie that Paul received from his father was one of his most treasured possessions.”•Correct: “Simple, everyday objects can have great value to the people who own them.”

Stating a Story’s Theme

Step 4: Remember that there’s more than one way to state a story’s theme.

General guidelines for stating a story’s theme:

•Different people may interpret a story differently.•You may even find several themes in one story.

“The Ant and the Grasshopper”When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and

found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they collected all summer. Then the Grasshopper knew:

It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

So, what is the theme of this fable?A.It is important to consider the wisdom of others in making

decisions about our own lives.B.Planning for the future should be a crucial factor in our

daily lives.

Decide whether each statement is true or false.

______—A story’s moral and a story’s theme are the same thing.

______—The way the main character changes can help you determine theme.

______—Works of literature have only one theme.

______—Themes can be described using one or two words.

What Have You Learned?

True

False

False

False

Student on the Spot

“The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey” Read and identify the theme of this story.

A Man and his son were once going with their Donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said: "You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride

upon?" So the Man put the Boy on the Donkey and they went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said:

"See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides." So the Man ordered his Boy to get off, and got on himself. But

they hadn't gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other: "Shame on that lazy lout to let his

poor little son trudge along."  

“The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey” Well, the Man didn't know what to do, but at last he took his Boy up before him on the Donkey. By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at 

them. The Man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at. The men said: "Aren't you ashamed of yourself for 

overloading that poor donkey with you and your hulking son?" The Man and Boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, till at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey's feet to it, and raised the pole and the 

donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to Market Bridge, when the Donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused 

the Boy to drop his end of the pole. 

“The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey” In the struggle the Donkey fell over the bridge, and his fore-feet being tied together he was drowned. "That will teach you," said an old man who had followed them: "Please all, 

and you will please none.“

We know the moral, but what is the theme of this story?Though it is necessary to depend on others for guidance at

times, it is important for a person to trust his or her own judgment over unnecessary opinion.