Introduction to Theme

What is Theme?

An introduction to The Message

Standard of Study

RL.5.2 Analyze literary text development. a. Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic. b. Summarize the text, incorporating a theme determined from details in the text.

What is Theme?

The theme of a story is the underlying message in the story. Stories can have multiple themes. Many times, people confuse the main idea or the summary of a story with the theme of a story or passage. The main idea is a short summary of the events, while the theme is an inference that relates to the underlying message or lesson in a story. The theme is not directly stated, but is implied. The reader must think about the character’s experiences and choices to infer the theme of the story.

How do you Identify the Theme?

When a reader is attempting to infer the theme, it is helpful to ...

1. Observe what the character in a story say or do.

2. Ask yourself, "What were the consequences of those actions?"

What is the

3. Ask yourself, "What is the BIG idea in this story?"

4. Ask yourself, "What larger message is the author trying to convey?"

5. Ask yourself, "What did the author want the reader to understand?"

Theme Rules

-Themes are a complete sentence.

-Themes never contain character names.

-A theme is universal, it is true for everyone.

Open Ended

How would you define Theme?

Review Questions

Multiple Choice

A story can have more than one theme.

• true
• false

Multiple Choice

Themes are universal because ...

• all humans share common experiences
• authors add them to make the writing meaningful
• the entire universe enjoys them
• the stories go on forever

Multiple Choice

A theme should be supported by ...

• your own words
• evidence from the text
• rationale/reasoning
• ALL of the above

Multiple Choice

What is a theme?

• a story line

• the topic/subject

• a universal truth about life and people

• the time and place of an event

Multiple Choice

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

• thesis
• summary
• theme
• plot

Multiple Choice

A well written theme statement includes character's names and the author.

• TRUE
• FALSE

Multiple Choice

A theme should be a statement, not just one word. 

• TRUE
• FALSE

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of theme?

• how an author reveals a character's traits
• time and place a story takes place
• character vs. self
• author's message about life or human nature

Multiple Choice

The theme of the story is the

• main character

• message about life that the author expresses.

• sequence of events.

• short summary of what the story is about.

Multiple Choice

During a baseball game, Tanner tried to tag a player leaving first base. When the umpire called the player out, Tanner immediately informed the umpire that he in fact did not tag the runner. Two weeks later, the very same umpire was at another one of Tanner’s baseball games. Tanner was playing short stop and tagged a runner as they approached third base. When the umpire called the player safe, Tanner didn’t say a word, but the umpire noticed the surprised look on Tanner’s face. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked Tanner. When Tanner told her that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed her decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by her decision.
What is the theme?

• You should cheat to win.
• Always work hard.
• It pays to be honest.
• Teamwork is best.