Theme

Determining Theme

Learning Target: "I can determine and summarize the theme of a story."​

By Aadrien Glover

What is Theme?

• Theme is a literary device ​or tool used by writers to create a work of writing.

• ​Theme is the lesson, moral, or message about life that is communicated by a literary work (novels, stories, fables, poems).

  • ​Theme is what the story teaches the reader

• ​Example: "The Tortoise and the Hare">>> 'Slow and steady wins the race' or 'Arrogance gets you nowhere fast'

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Open Ended

What is THEME?

Examples of Theme

Common Themes:

• Treat others how you want to be treated.

• ​Honesty is the best policy.

• ​Love conquers all.

• ​Stand up for what you believe in.

• Follow your dreams.​

• ​Hard work pays off.

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​So What Do You Need to Know?

• What you should LEARN from the story

• It can be implied and must be inferred

• It can be explicit or clearly stated​

• Applies to the BIG WORLD​

• Apply it to lessons about human nature

1. Who are the characters in the​ passage?

2. What do they plan to do?

3. Does Paul stick to the plan?​

4. What happens to Paul?

5. Who wins the race?​

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Let's Practice:

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Think About It: What does Paul learn from this moment?

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of the passage "Want to Race?"

• Slow and steady wins the race.

• Cheaters never win.

• You can't buy friends.

• The early bird gets the worm.

Poll

How do you feel about today's lesson?

• Great! I understood everything.

• Okay. We can continue with more examples.

• So-So. I'm not quite there.

• Not Good. I do not understand the lesson.