To Make Meaning from Text:
Theme
Fill in the following blanks:
A writer creates some people [______________], puts them in a time and place
[____________], has them talk to and about each other [____________], has things
happen to and between them [________], creates a person [______________] to tell
the story from a position [_________________], using devices of language
[__________________________________________________________________, etc.]
so that a reader makes meaning [THEME]. (Taken from Dixie Dellinger, AP EDG)
When determining the theme of any piece of literature, ask the following questions.
1. What is the topic of this piece of literature?
2. What does this piece of literature say TO ME about this topic?
This, my dear students, is all there is to it! Everything we read will have a meaning,
a theme. And remember a theme follows the following guidelines:
1. NEVER cliché.
2. Always a complete thought.
3. Not too broad. (Society is judgmental no matter what the situation is.)
4. Not too specific. (Come to class.)
5. Can be applied to anyone at anytime in life.
6. I shouldn’t think, “Well, duh.” to any themes you create. For instance, one’s past
actions may influence their present actions. I think really? when I read this. Is this
statement not common sense?