Theme

an underlying idea that recurs in, or pervades, a work of literature; often the ________of the story

• summary

• subject

• the main message

• topic

Theme should NOT be expressed in

• a question

• a single word

• a topic

• a cliche statement

Examples of topics might be

• love, hate, ambition, prejudice, etc.

• Treat others the way you want to be treated

• Be kind to others

• Kindness matters to all people

What question does theme answer?

• What is the weather?

• What is the author saying about the topic?

• What is the topic of the story?

• What is the subject of the story?

What is the definition of theme?

• topic/subject + message = theme

• topic of the story

• life lesson, meaning, moral, or meaning about life or human nature communicated by a literary work

• the reason why an authors writes

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the formula for theme?

• message

• topic + author's purpose = theme

• message = theme

• topic/ subject + message = theme

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Why is Mrs. White pleaded with Mr. White to wish for their son to be alive not a theme. Select all that apply.

• It cannot be one word.

• It cannot have plot events.

• It must have a topic and message.

• It cannot have character names.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Why is Death not a theme? Select all that apply.

• It cannot be one word.

• It must have a topic and a message.

• It can be one word.

• It cannot include character names and plot events.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

When determining a theme, the reader should first consider...

• the illustrations
• the subject or topic
• the title
• the length of the story 

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

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

• TRUE
• FALSE

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2