Identifying Theme

Grade 5: Theme

Theme

Examples of theme

• Change versus tradition

• The evils of racism

• Darkness and light

• Individual vs society

• Heroism

• Good vs bad

Theme is NOT plot

The plot is what happens in the story. It is the chain of connected events in a story.

Theme is NOT

the main idea. The main idea is what the story is all about.

Theme is NOT

the summary. In general, the summary refers to the events of the story along with some other important details.

The moral

of a story is a very specific lesson. Theme could be a lesson but does not have to be.

Theme IS

a message or a lesson to take out of the story... such as motherhood.

Multiple Choice

The message or lesson that the author wants you to learn from the story is...

• thesis

• summary

• theme

• plot

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of theme?

• Snow White was thoughtful and kind.

• Don't judge people by outward appearances.

• Juan risked his life to save his brother's.

• Happiness

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of theme?

• One person can make a difference.

• The donkey was stubborn and did not move.

• LaShonda knew she would always be grateful.

• RGB became famous for being a champion for gender equality.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of theme?

• Inequality

• Justice

• Hope

• Your past does not define you.

Multiple Choice

What does theme add to the story?

• A sense of location

• An important message

• Motivation for the characters

• Dialogue for the characters

Multiple Choice

Three flies notice an overturned honey pot. Two of the flies decide to land in the honey and start eating it. But the oldest fly stays back. The two flies tease the older fly, but then get stuck in the honey.

What is the theme of this story?

• Some prizes aren't worth it

• Overeating leads to illness.

• Insects value food over safety

• Always send a tester

Multiple Choice

A story's theme may be difficult to identify because...

• Author's rarely want the reader to figure it out

• It has little to do with plot, characters, and other story elements.

• Only complicated adult stories have themes

• It is rarely stated explicitly.

Multiple Choice

A story can have more than one theme.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Where can a reader find the theme?

• It is stated directly in the text.

• A character tells you.

• The reader must understand what the character has learned.

• Books or movies do not have themes.