Topic and Theme

When trying to figure out the theme of passage or story, you should first look for the

• summary

• climax

• resolution

• topic

Why can't TRUST be a theme?

• There's nothing to learn about it.

• It's a topic not a theme

• It is a theme

• none of these

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

• Don't cry over spilled milk.

• Treat people the way you want to be treated.

• If you are kind to others they will always be kind to you

• none of these

What is the message of this passage?

• Old people are always scary.

• Don't judge someone before you get to know them.

• You should be aware of others

• none of these

Jossie was frustrated. She had been shooting free throws for 30 minutes and had only made 2 of her shots. She was ready to give up, but her dad encouraged her to keep trying. She gave it some thought and decided she wouldn't leave until she made 5 more free throws. It took her a while, but finally, she did it!

What is the theme of this short story?

• Jossie didn't give up until she succeeded.

• If at first you don't succeed keep trying.

• Basketball is a stressful sport.

• determination

What is the best definition of THEME?

• universal truth, moral, or idea that the author wants to express. 

• location and time of the story

• events that occur in the story

• author's reason for writing a story

What does the central idea of a story tell the reader?

• a specific detail from the story

• The conflict of the story

• What the story is about 

• The universal truth, moral, or idea the author wants to express

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the central idea?

• Who is the main character?

• What is the main event?

• What is one important detail?

• What point is the author trying to make?

Is this a topic, central idea, or theme?

It doesn’t matter what type of clothes you wear or the kind of music you listen to. What matters most is who you are inside.

• Topic

• Central Idea

• Theme

Is this a topic, central idea, or theme?

Loss

• Topic

• Central Idea

• Theme