What's in a Theme?

What is theme?

• The subject an author writes about in the story

• The life lesson a reader can learn from reading the story

• The main symbol the author uses in the story

• The changes the character goes through in the story

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

How do you support the validity of a theme?

• By using text evidence.

• By summarizing the story.

• You really can't support it.

• By identifying the plot elements.

Where can a reader find the theme?

• It stated directly in the text.
• A character tells you.
• The reader must understand what the character has learned.
• Books or movies do not have themes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

If the topic is kindness, which of the following is a good theme statement?

• Don't cry over spilled milk.
• Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• When fear is present, wisdom cannot be.
• Face your fears.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

You and your friend found two different themes. You can both be right if...

• ...your teacher is nice.

• ...both themes have the same subject.

• ...the author agrees with you.

• ...you both have evidence to support them.

What is the main difference between THEME and MAIN IDEA?

• Theme is a universal lesson, and main idea is what a story is about.

• Theme is what a story is about, and main idea is the universal lesson it teaches.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

One way you could figure out the theme is to...

• ...skim through the story.

• ...just read the beginning of the story.

• ...think about what the character has learned.

• ...read the ending of the story.

An author usually does not state the theme in the story. You must use clues and infer his idea.

• TRUE

• FALSE

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.

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

• TRUE
• FALSE

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.8.2