Determining Theme

What is a theme?

• a story line

• the topic/subject

• a universal truth about life and people

• the time and place of an event

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

The theme of a piece of literature is the same as its ...

• message
• significance
• subject
• meaning

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Unlike the topic of literature, a theme ...

• can be expressed in one word

• always shows the setting

• is always stated directly in the text

• cannot be just one word

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

You can often infer the theme of a piece of literature by ...

• evaluating how a character has changed
• sharing a character's experience
• determining how the conflict has resolved
• ALL of the above

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Which of the following statements about theme is TRUE?

• Authors NEVER use the same theme twice

• Themes only repeat in short stories

• All poems have the same theme

• The same themes can occur in different stories/different authors

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

A theme should be supported by ...

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

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Which of the following is NOT an example of a theme?

• Treat others the way you want to be treated.

• The little boy lied to his mother.

• With hard work, you can accomplish anything.

• You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

What could be an example of a theme?

• Friendship

• Being prepared often leads to success.

• How to bake chocolate chip cookies

• Helping others

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow bridge, he looked down and saw his reflection in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own. If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a foolish Dog he had been.
What is the theme?

• Be honest.
• Don't be greedy.
• Always share your things with others.
• Be respectful to others.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

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.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2