Identifying Themes

What is a theme?

• a story line

• the topic/subject

• a universal truth about life and people

• the time and place of an event

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

The theme of a piece of literature is the same as its ...

• message

• plot

• subject

• popularity

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Themes are about the big picture, not specific to certain stories.

• True

• False

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Which of the following statements about theme is TRUE?

• Authors never use the same theme twice

• Themes only repeat in short stories

• All stories have the same theme

• The same themes can occur in different stories/different authors

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

A theme can be one word that describes an important subject of the story.

• False

• True

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

An author usually does not state the theme directly in the story. It must be inferred by the audience.

• True

• False

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

A theme should be supported by...

• your own feelings

• evidence from the text

• an interview with the author

• your classmates

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

Which of the following is an example of an acceptable theme?

• Responsibility

• The little boy lied to his mother.

• Challenges can be overcome through hard work.

• Never judge a book by its cover.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

Which of the following is an example of an acceptable theme?

• Friendship

• Being prepared often leads to success.

• How to bake chocolate chip cookies

• Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

Which of the following is an example of an acceptable theme?

• You can never turn your back on your family.

• A young girl returns to her family after moving far away.

• Most people have at least one brother or sister.

• “I’ll never speak to you again,” she said quietly to her mother.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9