Theme

Theme

The Key to Understanding Theme

The Definition

The underlying message or observation about life or humanity that the author implies through a story.

Themes are not

• A MORAL (a rule about what you should or shouldn’t do)

• The TOPIC (what the story is about)

• One WORD (theme topic vs. theme sentence)

Multiple Choice

The message or lesson that the author wants you to learn from the story is called the

• thesis
• summary
• theme
• plot

Multiple Choice

Where can a reader find the theme?

• It stated directly in the text.
• A character tells you.
• The reader must understand what the character has learned.
• Books or movies do not have themes.

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentence: A woman risks her life to spy for the Union during the Civil War. This sentence is an example of a

• plot

• character

• main idea

• theme

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentence: Friendship helps people get through hard times. The sentence is an example of a

• plot

• character

• main idea

• theme

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentence: A toad and a lizard learn to get along while on a journey through the wilderness. The sentence is an example of a

• plot

• character

• main idea

• theme

Three Big Ideas About Theme:

• Themes are universal which means that people all over the world can relate to or understand the theme. 

• Themes are implied which means that it is not explicitly stated.

• “Bigger than the story” which means that the theme or message is true in other circumstances beyond just the ones in the story (it applies to the real world)

Multiple Choice

What does theme add to a story?

• A sense of location.

• An important message.

• Motivation for the characters.

• Dialogue for the characters.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of theme?

• Inequality

• Hope

• Justice

• Your past does not define you.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of theme?

• Connor overcame his obstacles with his mindset.

• Risha took a bad situation and made the most of it.

• People's decisions are often an indication of their true character.

• Jack is a follower.

Multiple Choice

A story's main theme might be difficult to figure out because:

• Authors rarely want the reader to figure it out

• It has little to do with plot, characters, and other story elements

• Only complicated, adult stories have themes

• It is rarely stated explicitly

Multiple Choice

Themes are universal because ...

• all humans share common experiences
• authors add them to make the writing meaningful
• the entire universe enjoys them
• the stories go on forever

Things to Consider:

• A story can have more than one theme

• A lot of stories can share the same theme

• A reader doesn’t have to agree with the theme

• A theme should be supported by reasons, evidence, your own thoughts/words

• A theme will not include the character's name

• A theme is a sentence not one word (more on this later)

Multiple Choice

A theme should be supported by ...

• your own words
• evidence from the text
• rationale/reasoning
• ALL of the above

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about theme is TRUE?

• Authors NEVER use the same theme twice

• Themes only repeat in short stories

• All poems have the same theme

• The same themes can occur in different stories/different authors

Multiple Choice

A story can have more than one theme.

• true
• false

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of theme?

• One person can make a difference.

• Missy knew she would always be grateful.

• The donkey was stubborn and did not change.

• Sir John became famous for slaying the dragon.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of theme?

• Cinderella was thoughtful and kind.

• Jack risked his life to save Jane.

• Don't judge people by outward appearances.

• Happiness

A theme has TWO parts:

1. A WORD or IDEA- a theme topic

Examples:

Friendship

Fear

2. The message or point about the word or idea (theme topic) that the author implies.

Examples:

Fear can keep people from reaching their goals.

True friendship lasts forever.

Multiple Choice

What does theme add to a story?

• A sense of location.

• An important message.

• Motivation for the characters.

• Dialogue for the characters.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of theme?

• Inequality

• Hope

• Justice

• Your past does not define you.

Multiple Choice

What is theme?

• message about life that the author expresses

• the time, location, and mood of a story

• sequence of events

• the main events