Finding Theme

Finding Theme in a Fiction Text

What do you already know about theme?

Finding Theme

Words to Know:

Topic - the subject of the text; usually just one word

Theme - message of a text, often expressed as a general statement about life. A text can have more than one theme.

Infer - to determine something by using prior knowledge, reasoning and evidence from the text

Multiple Choice

When a reader makes an inference, what does the reader do?

• Determines the topic of the text and what the author says about it.

• Determines something about the text based on prior knowledge, reasoning, and text evidence.

• Determines what the text is mostly about.

• Determines if he/she is comprehending the text while reading.

Multiple Choice

What is theme as it relates to a text?

• the subject of a text

• the topic of a text

• the message about life found in a text

• the evidence from a text

Multiple Select

What is true about the theme of a text?

• It is possible for a text to have more than one theme.

• It is never directly stated in a text.

• It is usually expressed as a single word.

• It is often expressed as a general statement about life.

​Steps to determine theme:

1. Determine the topic of the text.

2. Consider the details in the text:

   1. setting

   2. conflict

   3. resolution

   4. character - thoughts, actions, feelings

3. Make an inference about the message that is implied throughout the text.

​Read the following text:

from Aesop’s Fables

A FOX, running before the hounds, came across a Woodcutter felling an oak and begged him to show him a safe hiding-place. The Woodcutter advised him to take shelter in his own hut, so the Fox crept in and hid himself in a corner. The huntsman soon came up with his hounds and inquired of the Woodcutter if he had seen the Fox. He declared that he had not seen him, and yet pointed, all the time he was speaking, to the hut where the Fox lay hidden. The huntsman took no notice of the signs, but believing his word, hastened forward in the chase. As soon as they were well away, the Fox departed without taking any notice of the Woodcutter: whereon he called to him and reproached him, saying, "You ungrateful fellow, you owe your life to me, and yet you leave me without a word of thanks." The Fox replied, "Indeed, I should have thanked you fervently if your deeds had been as good as your words, and if your hands had not been traitors to your speech."

Multiple Choice

Part 1: Which of the following statements best represents the theme for the fable?

• People can get away with bad actions if they are smart.

• Keeping your body in shape is just as important keeping your mind in shape.

• Good words are meaningless if you do not act honestly.

• Strangers can be just as helpful as friends when you are in danger.

Multiple Choice

Part 2: Which detail from the text best supports the theme identified in Part 1?

• The Fox says, “If your hands had not been traitors to your speech.”

• The Woodcutter says, “You owe your life to me.”

• The huntsman takes no notice of the signs.

• The Woodcutter advises the Fox to take shelter in his own hut.