More about how to identify themes

More about how to identify themes

Remember, a theme:

• the central, underlying, and controlling idea or insight of a work of literature.  

• Theme:

  the idea the writer wishes to convey about the subject—the writer’s view of the world or a revelation about human nature.

• Source: ReadWriteThink

Find a theme by

• Summarize the plot in one sentence.

• Identifying the subject of the work.

• Identify the insight or truth that was learned about the subject. How did the protagonist change?

• What lesson did the protagonist learn from the resolution of the conflict? 

• Write one or more generalized, declarative sentences that state what was learned and how it was learned. 

• Source: ReadWriteThink

Multiple Choice

Which theme fits the quote?

"When death captures me,'' the boy vowed, he will feel my first in his face.''

• Language can be powerful.

• The human instinct to survive is strong.

• It's not easy to face your emotions.

Multiple Choice

Which theme fits the quote? Somewhere, far down, there was an itch in his heart, but he made it a point not to scratch it. He was aftraid what might come leaking out.

• Language can be powerful.

• The human instinct to survive is strong.

• It's not always easy to face your emotions.

Multiple Choice

Which quote fits? The Fuhrer decided that he would rule the world with words. "I will never fire a gun. I will not have to.''

• Language can be powerful.

• The human instinct to survive is strong.

• It's not always easy to face your emotions.

Poll

Here's how I grade myself on finding the theme of a text.

• Grade A. Oh, yeah. I've got this.

• Grade B. Getting there.

• Grade C. I need practice.

• Grade D. Back it up and let's try this again.