What is Theme ?

1. What isTheme? Understanding the message the author is sending to the reader

2. Theme • Definition: • the main idea, or message the writer shares in the writing

3. Theme • Characteristics: • 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

4. Theme • Characteristics: • what the main character learns about life is usually the theme • is NOT the moral of the story

5. Theme • What readers do with theme: • many literary analysis’ are written to prove the theme of a piece of writing. • This is what you will be doing throughout the unit: learning how to analyze literature to prove its theme.

6. Theme • Universal Theme: • a theme that applies to anyone regardless of race, gender, age, religion, time frame, etc . . .

7. Theme Let’s brainstorm some examples!

8. Theme • Something to remember: • Theme is NOT what the story is about! • Let’s look at how to tell the difference . . .

9. Theme • A story is written about Anna, who is scared to start at a new school, but soon makes many friends. • What is this story about? • Anna 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 . . .

10. 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 . . .

11. 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