Things to consider for your power point
• Each slide must be labeled.
• To type in the notes section, you can drag the
bar up to give more space. Otherwise, you can
type it up in Word and CUT AND PASTE your
analysis into the notes section.
• Give yourself time to proofread your analysis.
A power point riddled with mistakes will NOT
get a 2.5 or higher.
Definition from Elements of Fiction
“The theme of a piece of literature is its
controlling idea or its central insight. It is the
unifying generalization about life stated or
implied by the story. To derive the theme of a
story, we must ask what its central purpose is:
what view of life it supports or what insight
into life it reveals.” (90)
Theme or Thematic Message:
• Repeated idea or topic that is suggested throughout
the book.
• A complete sentence, not a word or phrase (a word or
phrase would be a subject).
• May be a message, moral, complex/deep idea. Not
usually too obvious or shallow.
• Must take into account and fit the entire piece of
literature.
• Not too specific, not too general (no clichés)
When writing a theme:
• Should be a complex or longer sentence
• 3rd person, present tense, no “always”---no “you”
• Must be accurate to story (can support with text, NOT with
your own life experience)
• Should apply to the book, but also to people in general,
humanity, society, etc.
• Should not refer to any specific characters or events in the
book, but…
• The connection to the book should be evident
• Ask yourself: what is the book’s message about _____
(keyword)?
Balance between universal and specific:
Too universal
What goes
around comes
around.
Too specific
Throughout
Amir’s life he
pays for his past
mistakes with
Hassan.
You want your theme statements to be
right here, in the middle. Specific
enough to apply clearly to the book, but
not so specific that they ONLY apply to
the book and are not universal.
Balance between universal and specific:
Too universal
Too specific
Throughout
Hamlet, Hamlet
has to seek
revenge to move
on from his
Revenge and anger cannot be what father’s death.
What goes
around comes
around.
guides a person’s decision making.
Sometimes forgiveness might be the
best option to move on from the past.
Some examples (not from The Kite Runner)
• When people try to find their identity by fitting in
with society’s stereotypes, it limits their
individuality.
• When people try find their identity by fighting
against society’s stereotypes, it limits their
individuality just as much.
• When a person immerses himself in an institution,
he loses his own identity.
• A person can find his identity by immersing himself
in a larger institution.
• Feeling invisible makes a person powerless.
Sample Thesis Statements with Theme statement
embedded
•1. Hamlet’s actions as he avenges his father’s death
illustrates that revenge may not be the best solution
in any situation and that a person should learn to
forgive and move on.
•2. Benedick’s and Beatrice’s fighting and eventual
engagement show that true love is about getting
through the ups and the downs if it is to last.
The Great Gatsby
Ms. McComb
Hours 1 & 2
Hopes and dreams can motivate and challenge a person
just as well as they can control and destroy a person.
Nick
“So
we beat on, boats
against the current,
borne back
ceaselessly
into the past.”
Turning Points
Symbol---Green Light
New friends…
Lies...
Secrets….