How to Find the Theme

​How to Find the Theme

Life Lesson Learned

Multiple Choice

Which statement below BEST defines a theme used in literature?

• The ideas about life the author wants to express.

• The overall feeling of the work.

• Where and when a story takes place.

• An idea that keeps coming up throughout the story.

• Supporting details in an argument.

Make notes on the following information

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1. ​The theme is the central idea of the story.

2. It is better if it is a full statement with a subject and a verb.

3. It sums up what the story shows us about the human condition. It is not a moral. It is simply a statement.

What is a theme?

What is a theme?

1. What is the story about? In other words, what is the plot?

2. What is the meaning behind the story?​ This usually revolves around the protagonist's conflict and his or her actions or reactions.

3. ​What is the lesson?

Make notes on the following:

To Find a Theme Ask 3 Questions

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Match

What is the three-step process for determining a theme?

• Step 1

• Step 2

• Step 3

Ask, what is the story about?

Ask, what is the meaning behind the story?

Ask, what is the lesson?

• Ask, what is the story about?

• Ask, what is the meaning behind the story?

• Ask, what is the lesson?

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• The subject is a topic that acts as the foundation for a work of literature, such as marriage in 19th-century France.

• The theme of literature is the author's lesson. In other words, the life lesson you learned.​

Subject Versus Theme

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• A major theme is an idea that a writer repeats in his work, making it the most significant idea in a literary work.

• A minor theme, on the other hand, refers to an idea that appears in a work briefly and that may or may not give way to another minor theme.​

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Major and Minor Themes

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Match

Match the following

• Subject

• Theme

• Major Theme

• Minor Theme

A topic that acts as the foundation for a work of literature

The author's lesson. In other words, the life lesson you learned.

An idea that a writer repeats in his work, making it the most significant idea in a literary work.

An idea that appears in a work briefly and that may or may not give way to another minor theme.

• A topic that acts as the foundation for a work of literature

• The author's lesson. In other words, the life lesson you learned.

• An idea that a writer repeats in his work, making it the most significant idea in a literary work.

• An idea that appears in a work briefly and that may or may not give way to another minor theme.

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How to Identify Themes

Take a few moments to write down the main literary elements: plot, characterization, setting, tone, language style, etc. What were the conflicts in the work? What was the most important moment in the work? Does the author resolve the conflict? How did the work end?

Make Notes

Note the plot of the work:

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How to Identify Themes

If you were to tell a friend what the work of literature was about, how would you describe that? What would you say is the topic?

Make Notes

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Identify the subject of the work:

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How to Identify Themes

How does he or she change? Does the protagonist affect other characters? How does this character relate to others?

Make Notes

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Who is the protagonist (the main character)?

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How to Identify Themes

Finally, determine the author's purpose and view toward the characters and their choices. Is the author writing to persuade, inform or entertain? What might be the author's attitude toward the resolution of the main conflict? What message might the author be sending us? This message is the theme. You may find clues in the language used, in quotes from main characters, or in the final resolution of the conflicts.

Make Notes

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Assess the author's purpose and point of view:

Match

Match the following

• Note the plot of the work

• Identify the subject of the work

• Who is the protagonist (the main character)?

• Assess the author's purpose and point of view

List the main literary elements: characters, time, setting, language style, and conflicts.

How would you describe the work to a friend? The topic?

Who changes? How does the protagonist affects other characters? How does the character interact?

Determine the author's purpose and the author's view toward the characters and choices.

• List the main literary elements: characters, time, setting, language style, and conflicts.

• How would you describe the work to a friend? The topic?

• Who changes? How does the protagonist affects other characters? How does the character interact?

• Determine the author's purpose and the author's view toward the characters and choices.

Open Ended

Using your notes, complete a paragraph response using the language tools below. Yes! You must use the language tools.

_____ is best described as _____

_____ is frequently referred to as _____

Critical attributes of _____ include _____ and _____

An explanation of _____ provides insight into _____