Identifying the Theme

What is the theme of this passage?

• You can buy more if you save your money.

• Danny is smarter than Benny.

• You should not spend all your money on candy.

What is the definition of theme?

• how an author reveals a character's traits

• time and place a story takes place

• character vs. self

• author's message about life or human nature

Which quote from the story best supports the theme?

• Ariel was so wrapped up in her patients, she forgot about her own plans.

• Caring for people and easing their pain were very important to Ariel.

• She reminded Ariel that in order to attend a good nursing program, she needed good grades.

• She had been a volunteer in the hospital since she was 13.

Derek's mother and father were billionaires. Derek always got everyting that he wanted. When Derek was three, his parents paid the cast of Sesame Street to come to his birthday party. In fifth grade, when Derek wanted to win the Science Fair, his parents paid a tutor to create an award-winning project. In tenth grade, when Derek wanted to be the best soccer player, his parents paid for David Beckham to privately train him. By the time Derek was an adult, he was bored and struggled to find anything meaningful to do. None of the things that he could buy with his money made him happy anymore. What is the theme of this passage?

• Derek is unhappy because he alwys got everthing he ever wanted as a child.

• Money can't buy happiness.

• You should save your money to buy things later in life.

What theme might the song writer be trying to get across in the song "Never Say Never" by The Fray?

What theme might the song writer be trying to get across in the song "Respect" by Aritha Franklin?

Theme could be a __________ or ____________ the reader can take away from a work of literature.

• burger and fries

• setting and conflict

• message or lesson

• chart or graph

Theme typically is ____________ by the reader. The author doesn't come right out and tell you.

• generated

• structured

• inferred

• believed

Step 2 in identifying theme is

• pay attention to the plot

• ranking the theme in order of hierarchy

• Ask yourself, "What is the main character struggling with?"

• Ask yourself, "What does the author want me to believe?"

Theme is the __________________ idea

• obvious

• withering

• unifying

• meaning