Identifying Theme in Literature

Determining Theme

Theme

Sometimes the theme is a moral or short lesson about life. The theme is often repeated in the story. Sometimes the author does not tell you the theme. Instead, you have to figure it out from the text.

​What to look for?

• ​What was the problem in the story

• What did the characters learn?

• How did the characters grow?

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of a story?

• Where the story takes place.

• The most important message in a story.

• The main character in a story.

• What happens in a story.

Multiple Choice

A story can have more than one theme.

• true
• false

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of this story?

• Don't be lazy.

• Our friends are always there for us.

• Turtles are faster than rabbits.

• It is better to take your time and do it right then to rush and fail.

Multiple Choice

Matt was always mean to the other younger kids on the school bus. He would make fun of them and put sticky stuff in their seat. He was the oldest and “coolest” kid on the bus. After this year, Matt would be going to high school. He would not have to ride with these little “rug rats” anymore. The summer had passed and Matt was headed to high school. He was a little nervous getting on the bus. When he walked on, he could feel the older kids laughing at him. When he got into his seat there was chocolate sauce smeared all over his seat. What is the theme?

• Loyalty

• Treat others how you would like to be treated.

• Money can't buy happiness (or friends)

• Be yourself

Multiple Choice

Larry had it all. A huge house, all the toys he wanted, and best of all he had enough money to buy anything he wants. He was always coming to school with new shoes and designer clothes. What more could a kid ask for? But everyday at recess Larry went out to the playground and played on the swings by himself. He disliked recess because there was no one that wanted to play with him. It made him very sad. What is the theme?

• Money can't buy happiness (or friends).

• Helping others

• Do the right thing and people will follow.

• Practice and persistence pay off.

Multiple Choice

Gary thought it would be funny to hide Tracy’s book bag. One day he took it from the back of the room and threw it behind the book case. At the end of the day Tracy was looking everywhere. The teacher started looking and asked the class if anyone has seen the book bag. Gary of course did not answer. After about ten minutes of searching the teacher called for the principal to come and help. Gary had told the teacher he did not know where it was, so what was he going to tell the principal? He should have just taken it out right away when Tracy was looking. What is the theme?

• Money can't buy happiness (or friends).

• Always tell the truth.

• Practice and persistence pay off.

• Don't put things off to the last minute

Multiple Choice

In the fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel," a brother and sister find a house made of candy in the forest, are invited inside by an old woman, and are almost cooked and eaten by the woman, who turns out to be a witch. In "Little Red Riding Hood," a little girl is on her way through the forest to see her grandmother and tells a wolf where the grandmother lives. The wolf races ahead of the little girl and eats her grandmother. What recurring theme is present in both stories?

• Wolves and witches are mean.

• The forest is a dangerous place.

• Do not trust strangers.

• Always be prepared

Multiple Choice

Eleanor invited the new girl Jessica over to play. When Jessica arrived, she didn't bother to wipe her shoes. She got mud all over Eleanor's white bedroom carpet and didn't even say sorry. Then, she hopped onto Eleanor's bed and took out a cherry juice box. When cherry juice dripped onto Eleanor's bed, Jessica just shrugged. Later, when Jessica was eating some Cheetos, she wiped the orange powder on her fingers onto Eleanor's pillow. When Jessica left, Eleanor called all of her friends to tell them what happened. Jessica was never invited to play at any of their houses again.

What is the theme of this passage?

• Jessica should have been less messy if she wanted to make friends.

• Don't eat when you're at a friend's house.

• You should always respect other people's things.

Multiple Choice

To identify a theme in a story, a reader can ask ...

• What has the character learned?
• What is the setting?
• Who is the narrator?
• ALL of the above