1. Literary Analysis Skill: Narrative Essay

2. Reading Skill: Main Idea

1. Narrative Essay

Tells the story of real events, people, and places. Narrative essays share these features with fictional stories: - People’s traits and personalities are

developed through their words, actions, and thoughts.

- The setting of the action may be an important element.

SettinSettingg

PeoplPeoplee

EventEventss

Sample Chart

Elements

2. Main IdeaThe main idea of a work of nonfiction is the central point that the author conveys. Sometimes the author directly states the main idea. More often, the author implies, or suggests, the main idea.

To identify the implied main idea, connect details to determine what they have in common. Use these connections to help you figure out the main idea of a passage or work.

Theme or Main Idea?

Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman Guide to Freedom BaseballBaseball

Main IdeaMain Idea Main IdeaMain Idea

Narrative Essay ElementsNarrative Essay Elements Narrative Essay ElementsNarrative Essay Elements

…… ……

Task: Read the narrative essays, “Harriet Tubman Guide to Freedom,” and “Baseball.”

Goal: Identify the main idea and narrative essay elements.

Check Your Understanding

1. Narrative Essay

Tells the story of ____ ______, people, and places. Narrative essays share these features with _________ stories: - People’s traits and personalities are developed through their words, actions, and thoughts.- The setting of the action may be an important element.

SettinSettingg ____________ ____________

Sample Chart

Elements

2. Main IdeaThe main idea of a work of nonfiction is the _______ _____ that the author conveys. Sometimes the author _______ states the main idea. More often, the author ______, or ______, the main idea.

To identify the _______ main idea, connect details to determine what they have in ______. Use these connections to help you figure out the main idea of a passage or work.