Determining Theme

What is a theme?

• A one-word topic

• A central idea or message in a story

• A plot detail

• A character's name

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

What is NOT a theme?

• Revenge destroys everything

• Friendship

• Overcoming fears through friendship

• Human spirit vs. machine

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CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

How can you identify a theme through the protagonist?

• Through the character's costume

• By the character's dialogue only

• Through the character's journey and changes

• By the character's favorite color

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CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

Can a theme be directly stated by a character?

• Only in books

• No, never

• Yes, always

• Sometimes

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

Why should themes not be too vague?

• It makes them harder to understand

• It's more fun to guess

• Vague themes are easier to write

• They should always be vague

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

What should you avoid when defining a theme?

• Specific character names

• Being too vague

• All of the above

• Plot details

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

How do personal experiences affect theme interpretation?

• They simplify themes

• They have no effect

• They lead to different interpretations

• They make themes universal

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

Is it possible for two people to interpret the theme of a story differently?

• Yes, always

• No, themes are universal

• Sometimes, depending on the story

• Only in movies

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

What is a common theme the narrator notices in their own work?

• The exploration of happiness

• The exploration of pain

• The importance of technology

• The beauty of nature

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

What happens if you don't intentionally include a theme in your writing?

• The story fails

• A theme may naturally emerge

• The story is shorter

• It becomes a poem

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2