Theme is an underlying revelation or truth about life. It can tell us about human nature
or life in general.
**An author doesn’t write by deciding the theme first, instead the theme emerges as the
author tells the story. It has to be discovered by paying attention to the key points (like
the backbone or center) or the plot.
Keys to finding theme: TRICK
1. Title (significance of) – What is suggested by the title? What do you think the
author wanted the reader to focus on and how did the title do that?
2. Resolution – How did the author conclude? Was the ending positive or negative?
What do you think is suggested by the ending?
3. Issues – What issues does the story deal with? (Ex: family life, friendships, death,
independence, etc.)
4. Character Changes – Does the protagonist change in any way? What might that
indicate?
5. Key Passages – Things said by the character(s) or author that seem significant.
Repeated ideas or phrases.
How to state a theme:
-A theme is not “happiness” or “childhood” – those are the big issues
-You create a theme statement like this . . . “The story reveals to me that . . .
Ex. “story title” reveals that awareness of death can make life richer.
Practice: “The Big Orange Splot” – take notes in space below using the guiding
?s from above
Title
Resolution
Issues
Character changes
Key quotes
Complete this sentence starter:
“The Big Orange Splot” illustrates the theme of . . .