Review Theme High School

THEME

THE MEssage: the author's message to the reader; usually a lesson that is INFERRED and not directly stated

DETERMINING a THEME

*Theme is an author’s message or statement

*It is the lesson being taught to the reader by the author.

*THEME IS not a topic, or just one word.  It is a sentence, or statement.  

*Theme is not directly stated by the author, it is inferred by the reader based upon the TEXTUAL EVIDENCE presented by the author.  

The easiest way to teach THEME is to talk about FABLES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n538d6rHhE

Multiple Choice

What is the THEME or message in the fable?

• Do not serve soup to storks in a flat dish

• A fox played a trick on his friend, but didn't like it when the same trick was done to him.

• Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

• Fox was not a nice friend

Multiple Choice

What is the specific name given to a lesson within a fable?

• theme

• moral

• satire

• metaphor

Multiple Choice

One of the characteristics of theme is that it is INFERRED by the author? What does that mean?

• The author suggests or give hints to a theme without directly stating it.

• At the end of the novel, the author directly states the theme.

• The theme is always presented within the first few pages of a novel.

Let's DISCUSS the THEME

In his sophomore year of high school, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team; Jordan was cut from the team. He didn’t let this obstacle defeat him. He trained vigorously the next year. When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in basketball history.

All Victor ever wanted to do with his life was be a singer. He didn’t pay attention in school and he spent all of his time at home watching music videos online and impersonating his idols. His mother tried to teach him the value of getting an education and having a backup plan, but Victor would respond the same way every time, “Mom, I won’t need to know any of that boring old stuff when I’m famous. You’ll see.” But there was one major problem with Victor’s plan: he wasn’t any good at singing. Victor wanted to be a singer so badly, that he didn’t notice the pained look on the faces of those who endured his singing. Because he wanted to be a singer so badly, when honest people told him to find something else to do with his life, he accused them of being “jealous haters” and ignored their advice. After Victor dropped out of high school to focus on his music career, the years passed and the doors never opened.

Multiple Choice

What is the THEME of the previous passage?

• Haters gonna hate- do your own thing!

• Education is the most powerful weapon you have to change your world.

• Victor was a terrible singer and would not listen to advice.

• Don't hate school, just hate the teaches, the homework and getting up early.

After setting his alarm clock for PM instead of AM, Eric woke up late for school. In his haste, he forgot to pack a lunch or bring lunch money. Eric did not mind much at the time and figured that he could just eat some of his friend's food. During lunchtime, Eric explained his situation to the people at his lunch table. His friends were sympathetic, but they only packed lunches for themselves, not Eric. Katie offered Eric a small bag of carrots. "Yuck! I hate carrots." Chuck offered Eric his milk, to which Eric responded, "Is that skim milk? Ewww…. I hate skim milk. Does anyone have any chocolate milk?" Some people at the table did have chocolate milk, but they did not want to give their milk to Eric. Ben offered Eric half of his egg salad sandwich, but Eric again refused quite rudely, "Egg salad is gross. Doesn't anyone have anything good for me?" But that was the last offer that Eric would receive that day.

Multiple Choice

What is THE Message of the previous passage?

• When in a rush, it is wise to double check the AM/PM button on your alarm.

• Egg salad, carrots and skim milk are not gross- they are good for you!

• People who depend on the generosity of others are no position to demand what others give to them.

• Eric was in a rush and did not pack a lunch. Then, he was mean to his friends when they offered their own food to him.

What is the THE MEssage in this video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92UI5bpG8oc

Multiple Choice

In the movie Monsters Inc, what is the central message, or theme?

• Laughing at burps makes everyone happy.

• A monster makes a young boy laugh when he burps, other monsters complete other jokes to make kids laugh.

• Laughter is a powerful tool that heals a lot of hurt and fear.

• Mike is funnier than Sully.

What is the THEME?

Even though they were sisters, Suzie and June were nothing alike. If Suzie wanted to jump rope, June wanted to play hopscotch. If June wanted to watch soap operas, Suzie wanted to watch talk shows. Tensions rose to the point that the girls could no longer stand one another’s company. It seemed that they had nothing in common, until the day that progress reports came out. While riding the bus home from school, the girls—startled by how upset the other looked—realized that they were both failing a subject. Suzie was failing math and June was failing reading.

What is the THEME?

Since both girls wanted to pass their classes, they got to talking and agreed to help one another. So every day after school for the next few weeks, Suzie tutored June in reading and then June tutored Suzie in math. By the time report cards came were distributed, Suzie and June were passing all of their classes. The girls were delighted, but their mother was happiest of all. Not just because her daughters passed their classes, but because they had learned to be good sisters.

Multiple Choice

What was the THEME of the previous passage?

• Suzie and June help each other to pass classes

• Siblings can be similar, but also can be different

• When we work together instead of against each other, progress can be made

Let's discuss THE MEssage within this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2rDrKUb6bM

LET'S REVIEW THEME

Multiple Choice

The THEME is the _______________ message to the reader.

• antagonist's

• protagonist's

• author's

Fill in the Blanks

The theme is usually a

taught to the reader by the author.

Multiple Select

When asked, a student responded that KARMA was the theme, or central message, of FLUSH. Check the box that indicates what is wrong with the student's response.

• A theme is an author's lesson and Hiaasen NEVER mentions karma

• The theme is inferred by the reader and Hiaasen never gives hints about karma in the book.

• A theme is not just one word, it is a statement.

• Karma is not a lesson.

Poll

Based on the novel and what you learned today, what do you think is the best THEME for FLUSH?

• What comes around goes around

• Anger is your biggest enemy, control it.

• It is amazing what we can accomplish when we work together.

• The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings joy to the soul.