Thematic Statement Reteach

Thematic Statements

​Reteach and examples/non examples for practice

1. Start by identifying the THEME (main idea)

   in literature, this is the overall main idea

2. Determine how the theme is handled / whats the message

3. Make it one sentence.

​

Breakdown of a Thematic Statement

Theme: Independence / growing up
How its handled: Nemo's father learns how to let go.

Thematic statement: In order to let children grow up, it is important to give them enough freedom to make mistakes and learn to solve problems.

Finding Nemo

​Theme: Beauty, love, kindness
How its handled: Belle falls in love with the Beast because of his kind heart.

Thematic statement: True beauty is not based on physical appearance, but in the compassion and kindness within the human heart.

​​Beauty and the Beast

Theme: Struggle to survive / adversity
How its handled: People stick together no matter what

Thematic statement: The power of the human spirit and unity can overcome even the greatest of catastrophes.

​​Poseidon

​Examples

​✅ Theme: Dreams come true
✅ How its handled: Even though Cinderella is treated bad in her home, her dream comes true.

🚫 Thematic statement: Cinderella's dream comes true after she meets the prince at the ball and gets married to the prince.

Cinderella

​✅ Theme: Second chances
✅ How its handled: Mike chooses his old life with his family over the possibility of being a basketball star.

🚫 Thematic statement: After becoming 17 years old again, Mike realizes he doesn't want to be a teenager. He decides he wants to make things right with his wife.

17 Again

​Non-examples

Dropdown

The problem with these statements are that they​ ​

Select answer

and they​

Select answer

, not thematic statements.

Multiple Choice

Select whether the explanation is a charaxteristic of a thematic statement or a summary:

only explains what happens in the story

• Thematic Statement

• Both

• Objective Summary

Multiple Choice

Select whether the explanation is a charaxteristic of a thematic statement or a summary:

identifies the moral or the story (aka the message)

• Thematic Statement

• Both

• Objetive Summary

Multiple Choice

Select whether the explanation is a charaxteristic of a thematic statement or a summary:

can include the theme (main point)

• Thematic Statement

• Both

• Obejective Summary

Example or Non-example?

The following are examples of students' thematic statements on our recent assignment "Thematic Infographics".


Identify whether the statement is an example or a non-example.

Remember, a thematic statement:
1. identifies the theme
2. tells how the theme is handled (the moral/message and meaning of it all
3. is a one sentence statement.

Multiple Choice

IS THE FOLLOWING AN EXAMPLE OR NON-EXAMPLE OF A THEMATIC STATEMENT?

"Dreams of a better future often come with sacrifices, but they are driven by love and hope."

• ✅ EXAMPLE

• 🚫 NON-EXAMPLE

Multiple Choice

IS THE FOLLOWING AN EXAMPLE OR NON-EXAMPLE OF A THEMATIC STATEMENT?

"The struggle to maintain cultural identity becomes challenging when a family struggles with the hardships of adapting to a new country"

• ✅ EXAMPLE

• 🚫 NON-EXAMPLE

Multiple Choice

IS THE FOLLOWING AN EXAMPLE OR NON-EXAMPLE OF A THEMATIC STATEMENT?

"The duck turning into a swan shows significance to a new life and change but isn’t fulfilled due to obstacles like immigration getting in the way of being able to fulfill the American dream."

• ✅ EXAMPLE

• 🚫 NON-EXAMPLE

Multiple Choice

IS THE FOLLOWING AN EXAMPLE OR NON-EXAMPLE OF A THEMATIC STATEMENT?

"When you live a life of poverty you have to make sacrifices for those you love."

• ✅ EXAMPLE

• 🚫 NON-EXAMPLE

Multiple Choice

IS THE FOLLOWING AN EXAMPLE OR NON-EXAMPLE OF A THEMATIC STATEMENT?

"The family is trying to survive and live a better life."

• ✅ EXAMPLE

• 🚫 NON-EXAMPLE

Multiple Choice

IS THE FOLLOWING AN EXAMPLE OR NON-EXAMPLE OF A THEMATIC STATEMENT?

"It is harder for an immigrant to build a better life for their kids in America."

• ✅ EXAMPLE

• 🚫 NON-EXAMPLE

Multiple Choice

IS THE FOLLOWING AN EXAMPLE OR NON-EXAMPLE OF A THEMATIC STATEMENT?

"The immigrant family is trying to move to California because it’s better for everyone and they have more opportunities and how they struggle with going to school and taking care of the family."

• ✅ EXAMPLE

• 🚫 NON-EXAMPLE

Multiple Choice

IS THE FOLLOWING AN EXAMPLE OR NON-EXAMPLE OF A THEMATIC STATEMENT?

"The American Dream feels impossible to many through all the struggles they encounter but being successful and passionate about it keeps them going."

• ✅ EXAMPLE

• 🚫 NON-EXAMPLE

Multiple Choice

IS THE FOLLOWING AN EXAMPLE OR NON-EXAMPLE OF A THEMATIC STATEMENT?

"The swan and goose are a symbol and representation of the process or way to the American dream."

• ✅ EXAMPLE

• 🚫 NON-EXAMPLE

Multiple Choice

IS THE FOLLOWING AN EXAMPLE OR NON-EXAMPLE OF A THEMATIC STATEMENT?

"The American Dream is seen as much easier to reach than it actually is, but hard work
and dedication still makes it possible."

• ✅ EXAMPLE

• 🚫 NON-EXAMPLE

Multiple Choice

IS THE FOLLOWING AN EXAMPLE OR NON-EXAMPLE OF A THEMATIC STATEMENT?

"Even in moments of despair friends and family are always
there to remind you of your faith and hope."

• ✅ EXAMPLE

• 🚫 NON-EXAMPLE

Poll

How well do you understand thematic statements after reviewing these slides?

• Not at all

• I need a little more help

• I think I've got it

• I've mastered it now