Poetic Foundations

Finding Themes in Poetry

Theme-Author's Message

What the author wants readers to know!

Usually, poems describe feelings about family, experiences, music, or nature.

THE MESSAGE ​or lesson that an author wants to teach you through the story or poem.

​

​Themes are usually INFERRED. Use evidence in the text to figure out the moral or lesson of the story (theme).

​

Theme

Multiple Choice

Which is another word for Theme?

• Main Idea
• Details
• Moral
• Character

Multiple Choice

What is another word for Theme?

• lesson
• main idea
• setting
• details

Multiple Choice

What is another word for Theme?

• problem
• solution
• setting
• the message

​Theme Topics vs. Themes

• ​Themes are not one-word ideas!

• ​Themes are specific.

​

​THEME TOPICS

• ​Love

• ​Friendship

• ​Honesty

• ​Teamwork

• ​Loyalty

• ​Courage

​THEMES

• ​True friends will stand by you, even in difficult moments.

• ​Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Theme: a truth, a life lesson, that can be applied to……EVERYONE…EVERYWHERE!

​

​

Here are some popular examples ​

​

Multiple Choice

What is the message?

• Appreciate life to the fullest.

• People find joy in the little things of life

• All rocks are lucky rocks

• Treasure your loved ones

Multiple Choice

The Road Not Taken

“I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

-Robert Frost

What is the message or theme?

• Read road signs carefully.

• Trees are beautiful

• Don't get lost.

• Do not take the easy route because the other is more rewarding.