Analyze Theme

Which of the following gives a clue about theme?

• How are the characters related to each other?

• Which character tells the story?

• What is the balance between dialogue and description?

• How do characters change? What do they learn?

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which part of the plot helps us to discover the theme?

• Struggles and how they're resolved

• When everything goes smoothly

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

A work of literature can have more than one theme.

• True

• False

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which is needed to support a potential theme idea?

• An in-depth description of the story's topic

• Evidence from the story's characters, plot, and setting

• A summary of every major event in the story

• A strong opinion

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the following passage from a story. Rohan triumphantly lifted the trophy above his head. Despite all the obstacles, he had won. Beneath his cheerful exterior, he felt a twinge of the constant pain he’d learned to live with. Almost unconsciously, Rohan removed one hand from the trophy and rubbed the thin red scar that snaked around his ankle. He thought back to the surgery and the weeks spent lying in his bed, unable to compete. The months of exercises to strengthen his leg. “Rohan!” he heard the crowd scream, as if in slow motion. A smile broke across Rohan’s face, shattering his thoughts. He returned his hand to his trophy, firmly grasping it. Which of the following is most likely a theme of the story?

• Some goals are too hard to achieve even if you try many times.

• Through determination, you can overcome big challenges.

• You need the support of your family to overcome challenges.

• When you achieve a goal, you shouldn’t brag about it.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the following passage from a story. Marta was stumped. She had turned the details of the case over and over in her head, trying to figure out the answer. The suspect had somehow entered the store, stolen the artwork and exited without leaving any trace or fingerprints. Marta paced, her movements matching her storm of thoughts. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the new technological device she had been given to use, which she'd been avoiding like the plague. "I wonder…" she thought.Hesitantly, Marta typed the details of the case into the device's keyboard. It whirred and spat out a list of similar cases and how they'd been solved. Reading through the information, Marta was amazed. She had been pondering for hours, but 30 seconds with this device, and she could find answer! With new respect, she rushed off. Which detail from the passage provides the best clue that a theme of the story is "technology can have good effects"?

• "The suspect had somehow entered the store, stolen the artwork and exited without any trace or fingerprints."

• "Marta paced, her movements matching her storm of thoughts."

• "Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the new technological device she had been given to use, which she'd been avoiding like the plague."

• "She had been pondering for hours, but 30 seconds with this device, and she could find her answer!"

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the following passage from a story. Wind whipped at Vanessa, Mo and Jaime's faces as they trudged up the mountain. "Do you have the ice samples?" Vanessa questioned Mo again. "Why don't you carry them the rest of the way?" he responded irritably. Mo was digging into his backpack to retrieve the samples when suddenly, a gust of wind snatched them out of his hands, sending them tumbling down the mountain. "If we lose those, this was all for nothing!" Vanessa cried. The wind roared angrily, churning flakes of snow that had newly begun to fall. How far had the samples gone? The three scientists stared at each other in horrified silence. "I'll go back for them," Jaime spoke up quietly. Vanessa and Mo looked at Jaime. He was the smallest and youngest of the group, barely strong enough to carry his large backpack. "I'll go," he said louder. Which sentence from the passage provides the best clue that a theme of the story is "Courage can be found in the people you least expect it"?

• "'Why don't you carry them the rest of the way?'" he responded irritably.

• "How far had the samples gone?"

• "The wind roared angrily, churning flakes of snow that had newly begun to fall."

• "He was the smallest and youngest of the group, barely strong enough to carry his large backpack."

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Analyzing the theme of a poem helps us deeply reflect on the meaning behind the poet’s words and thoughts. It helps us identify the message of the poem.

• True

• False

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the meaning of the following passage: The narrator dreams of a world "where man no other man will scorn."

• People should buy tacos for lunch every day.

• People should treat others with respect.

• People should scorn others to prove their point.

• People should share their wealth with others.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

After reading Langston Hughes' poem, "I Dream a World" what do you think the overall theme of his poem is?

respect, equality, freedom, happiness?

Elaborate on why you chose your answer.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9