Theme and Thesis Statements

What is the definition of theme?

• A universal truth, a sentence stating the lesson/essage the author tries to reveal to the audience

• Events that occur within the story

• Author's reason for writing the story

• Location of the stories

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the definition of theme?

• A universal truth, a sentence stating the lesson/essage the author tries to reveal to the audience

• Events that occur within the story

• Author's reason for writing the story

• Location of the stories

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Three flies notice an overturned honey pot. Two of the flies decide to land in the honey and start eating it. But the oldest fly stays back. The two flies tease the older fly, but then get stuck in the honey.

What is the theme of this story?

• Some prizes aren't worth it.

• Overreacting leads to illness.

• Insects value food over safety.

• Always send a tester.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

 Susie was waiting for Tina to arrive in the crowded lunch room.  She looked through the crowd to see if she could spot Tina from afar.  Tina was standing in an area all by herself.  She had a perplexed look on her face, as there were no other seats available.  Thankfully, Susie had saved her a seat, and all was well.

What is the theme?

• Lunch is best when it's crowded.

• Be nice.

• Friendship comes in many forms.

• Susie is nice.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Jim was stacking boxes at work.  There was a certain height he had to reach.  He stretched his body, but could not reach to place the final box at the top.  Bill happened to see Jim struggling and came to his rescue, since he was a foot taller.

What is the theme?

• Teamwork can accomplish a goal.

• Tall people are the best.

• Work hard to reach a goal.

• People can be like boxes.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

The three-year-old peered down from the diving board and looked back at his mother behind him.  His knees began to buckle as he took another step forward.  "Splash!"

What is the theme?

• It takes courage to accomplish your goals.

• You should never give up.

• It takes loyalty to reach your dreams.

• People make sacrifices for others.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

She sobbed for hours trying to think of a way out of having to tell her father she wrecked her new car.  After stewing over it for quite some time, she called her father on his cell phone.  "Thank you," he said.

What is the theme?

• Sometimes, crying is good for you.

• It's important to be honest.

• Driving a car is a big responsibility.

• Experiencing loss/grief is difficult.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

To identify a theme in a story, a reader can ask ...

• What has the character learned?

• What is the setting?

• Who is the narrator?

• ALL of the above.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2