Here is a quick refresher
course, in case you’ve
forgotten.
 Definition:
A belief about life, or human
nature, that the writer hopes we
learn from the work.
 Characteristics: A
theme…
• is usually an observation about life or
human nature (how people behave)
 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.
 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
•
Universal Theme:
 a theme that applies to anyone
regardless of race, gender, age,
religion, time frame, etc . . .
Let’s brainstorm some examples!
 Something
to remember:
• Theme is NOT what the story is
about!
• Let’s look at how to tell the
difference . . .
 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
 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
 Remember
Me?”
the story “The Problem is
• 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
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 . . .
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 . . .
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