What isTheme?

Here is a quick refresher course, in case you’ve forgotten.

Theme Definition:

A belief about life, or human nature, that the writer hopes we learn from the work.

Theme Characteristics: A theme…

• is usually an observation about life or human nature (how people behave)

Theme Characteristics: A theme…

• is usually an observation about life or human nature (how people behave)

• is not directly stated in the writing; the reader needs to infer the theme.

Theme Characteristics: A theme...

• is usually an observation about life or human nature (how people behave)

• is not directly stated in the writing; the reader needs to infer the theme.

• is NOT the moral of the story

Theme

• Universal Theme:

a theme that applies to anyone regardless of race, gender, age, religion, time frame, etc . . .

Theme

Let’s brainstorm some examples!

Theme Something to remember:

• Theme is NOT what the story is about!

• Let’s look at how to tell the difference . . .

Theme Remember the story “Little Things are

Big” by Jesus Colon?• What is this story about? Jesus must decide if he will help a woman struggling with children and bags off a train. He decides not to out of fear and regrets it.

• What could be a theme or message from this story? Always be courteous, act on your first instincts, etc

Theme Remember “A Choice to be Stronger”?

• What is this story about? A woman who is a recovering alcoholic must cope with the death of her nephew who died in a car accident because he was driving drunk.

• What could be a theme or message from this story? What does not kill you makes you stronger

Theme Remember the story “The Problem is

Me?”• What is this story about? A little girl is concerned with her outward appearance and wants to be noticed by boys. What she does is never enough.

• What could be a theme or message from this story? Always be yourself, be happy with who you are, etc

Theme A story is written about Miguel, who is

scared to start at a new school, but soon makes many friends. • What is this story about? Miguel being scared to start at a new school.

• What could be a theme, or message from this story? don’t fear the unknown, making friends is easier than it seems, etc . . .

Theme A story is written about Jerry who is

peer pressured to tag on the school and gets caught. • What is this story about? Jerry getting caught tagging.

• What could be a theme, or message from this story? Be strong enough to do the right thing, friends who ask you to do something wrong aren’t your friends, etc . . .

Theme A story is written about a Mike who

thinks his neighbor is creepy, but gets to know him and finds out he’s really cool. • What is this story about? Mike getting to know his neighbor.

• What could be a theme, or message from this story? Don’t judge a book by its cover