Lessons on Theme in a Story

Theme

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Examples of a Theme

• Fear is more dangerous than any beast.

• Telling the truth may cause you pain, but in the end, it's better than lying.

• Your past does not define you.

• Friendship helps people get through hard times.

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

• theme

• summary

• plot

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of theme?

• Snow White was thoughtful and kind.

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

• Happiness

• Don't judge people by outward appearances.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a theme?

• One person can make a difference.

• LaShonda knew she would always be grateful.

• The donkey was stubborn and did not move.

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg became famous for being a champion for gender equality.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a theme?

• Inequality

• Hope

• Justice

• Your past does not define you.

Multiple Choice

What does theme add to the story?

• A sense of location

• Motivation for the characters

• An important message

• 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.

• The reader must understand what the character has learned.

• A character tells you.

• Books or movies do not have themes.