Theme!

In a piece of narrative text, what is the "theme"?

• What the story is about

• A message the author is trying to get across to the reader

• The topic of the text

• Where and when the story happens

Which of these things is not related to the "theme" in a story?

• how a character is feeling

• a "life lesson" the main character learns

• a big idea that people from any culture or any place can understand

• the moral of the story

Which of these would be a good example of theme in a story?

• math is difficult

• pets make people happy

• if you steal, something bad will happen to you

• respect for others

The best definition of theme is...

• The lesson the author is teaching.

• A word that summarizes the story.

• The message the author is sending.

• The character's main problem.

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.

• You should cheat to win.

• It pays to be honest.

• Always work hard.

• Teamwork is best.