Name: ______________________________
Teacher: Ms A. Gerzic
12ESE
Theme Study Workbook
This resource supports your study and records of the chosen theme for the year and is
where you will store your notes for Achievement Standards 2.7: Analyse significant
connections across texts, supported by evidence (internal, 4 credits) and 2.1: Analyse
specified aspects of studied written texts, supported by evidence (external poetry essay, 4
credits).
ChoIces
Decision
s
What exactly is this elusive thing called theme?
1
This year you need to select four texts from a variety of genres, which have connections
between them that you can analyse. The connecting aspect will be a theme.
So, what is a theme?
 First, let’s get clear about what theme is NOT.
It is not the “moral” of the story. A moral is a piece of practical advice that can be gained
from the novel to apply to our own lives. A theme is more complex than a moral and
may have no direct advice or philosophical value that the reader can apply.
It is not a “hidden meaning” that needs to be pulled out of the story.
THE THEMES OF A TEXT ARE ITS MOST GENERAL STATEMENTS – ITS “BIG IDEAS” ABOUT HUMAN EXPERIENCE
REMEMBER THAT:
 It is not a subject of a story
 The setting, characters and plot only exist within the world of the text BUT
 The theme exists independently of the world of the text BUT
 The text informs, enriches and expands our thinking about the theme
The theme is the underlying message or key idea in a text. Theme is deeper than simply
topic and is deliberately presented by the writer. A text may have one or several themes.
Themes which are relevant across expanses of time, societies and location are universal
themes. Longer texts such as novels can explore numerous themes, while short texts such as
poems and short stories are limited to one theme which is summarised in the ‘theme line’.
Two main ways of stating a text’s theme are:
 in a single word (usually a noun), such as ‘jealousy’ or ‘belonging’
 as a contention, such as ‘jealousy is evil’, or ‘belonging depends on a sense of place’
Some common general themes – expressed as a single word and then as a possible
contention – are:
COMMON THEMES
growing up
gender roles
love
family
injustice
prejudice
war
power
survival
CONTENTION
Growing up is painful but necessary.
Women are limited by their roles in marriage.
Love does not respect moral values.
Family is the basis of an individual’s happiness.
Injustice is often perpetrated (carried out) by just individuals.
Prejudice is embedded in social values and hard to recognise.
War always harms the innocent.
Power can liberate an individual to follow their dreams.
Survival depends on luck as well as inner strength.
Think of two more and add to the list above:
 ________________
__________________________________________________
2
 ________________
__________________________________________________
HOW DO YOU FIND A THEME?
 Sometimes the title of a text can give us a clue to what themes it might deal with. For
example, Larissa Behrendt’s novel Home deals with themes of belonging and
displacement, and the importance of having a place to call ‘home’.
 The cover of the book might also suggest certain themes.
 Sometimes the theme can be discovered by reading through the work and looking for
topics that show up again and again. When you were reading the work, did you
think, “Ah, didn’t he already talk about that?” If you did, then you have probably
noted a theme. Repeating patterns and symbols will lead you to the theme.
When trying to identify a theme, examine the relations among the parts of the story and the
relations of the parts to the whole:
Characters: What kind of people does the text deal with?
Plot: What do the characters do? Are they in control of their lives, or are they controlled by
fate?
Motivation: Why characters behave the way they do, and what motives dominate them?
Style: How does the author present reality? Does he use short or long sentences (in a
novel/short story/play/film) ? What kind of paragraphs / stanzas (in poetry) are there? Are
they short and conversational or are they long and involved? What is the rhythm of the
poem (in poetry)? Is the work divided up? If so, how and where?
Tone: What is the author’s attitude towards his subject?
Values: Does it seem like the author is making a value judgement? What are the values of
the characters/speaker in the story/poem? What values does the author seem to promote?
REMEMBER that theme, plot, and structure are inseparable, all helping to inform and
reflect back on each other. Also be aware that a theme we determine from a story never
completely explains the story. It is simply ONE OF THE ELEMENTS THAT MAKE UP THE
WHOLE. The theme allows the author to control or give order to his perceptions about life.
MY THEME IS:
CHOICES -
a man is responsible for his choice(s) and must accept the consequences
3
- sometimes a more difficult life choice or decision makes us better people
Decision making can be regarded as the mental processes (cognitive process) resulting in the
selection of a course of action among several alternative scenarios. Every decision making process
produces a final choice. Choice consists of the mental process of judging the merits of multiple
options and selecting one of them. Most people regard having choices as a good thing, though a
severely limited or artificially restricted choice can lead to discomfort with choosing and possibly, an
unsatisfactory outcome. In contrast, unlimited choice may lead to confusion, regret of the
alternatives not taken. (www.wikiedia.org )
Examples of difficult decisions or choices could be:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
What makes a good person? Give some examples of truly good people that you know who
made difficult life decisions.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
My theme impacts people because:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
My theme is universal (globally relevant) because:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
4
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Some examples of this are:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
My opinion of this theme is:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Suggested texts which may help you explore the theme of making a difficult choice or decision
5
Poems
Films
You, the Choice of My Parents - Konai Helu Thaman
Juno
Bike Ride with Older Boys- Laura Kasischke
LOTR ( trilogy)
The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost
Sophie’s Choice
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening - Robert
The Help
Frost
Atonement
If – Rudyard Kipling
Far from Heaven
The Choice – Dorothy Parker
A Short Stay in Switzerland
The Fish - Elizabeth Bishop
You Don’t Know Jack
Temple Grandin
Novels
The Witness
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
Short stories
Snow - Orhan Pamuk
The Gift of the Magi - O. Henry
Giovanni’s Room - James Baldwin
The Story of an Hour - Kate Chopin
If I Stay - Gayle Forman
Barn Burning - William Faulkner
The Lord of the Rings (trilogy – Arwen’s choice) –
The Red Room - H.G. Wells
J.R.R. Tolkien
The Blue House – Graham Templeton
Daniel Deronda - George Eliot
Plays
Bartleby the Scrivener - Herman Melville
Our Town - Thornton Wilder
The Twilight series ( Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, New
The Crucible - Arthur Miller
Moon) – Stephenie Meyer
Hamlet – William Shakespeare
The Stranger - Albert Camus
Romeo and Juliet – W. Shakespeare
Bleak House- Charles Dickens
The Merchant of Venice – W.
The Monkey's Paw - W.W. Jacobs
Shakespeare
The Mill on the Floss - George Eliot
Macbeth – W. Shakespeare
Non-fiction
The Marriage Trap (Metro 2008)
6
Achievement Standard English 91104: Analyse significant connections across
texts, supported by evidence (2.7)
What is the standard you need to meet for Achievement Standard 2.7?
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
Analyse significant connections
across texts, supported by
evidence.
Analyse significant connections
across texts convincingly,
supported by evidence.
Analyse significant connections
across texts perceptively,
supported by evidence.
This assessment activity requires you to select a particular aspect of text (in this case a theme) and analyse
the significant connections across a range of texts. You will present your findings as a written report. The
texts can be any combination of written, visual, and/or oral and short and/or extended.
You will be assessed on your ability to recognise and interpret links between texts.
Note that any connection that you find does not need to be evident in every text you have selected.
You can identify and record significant connections between texts in any way you wish. For example, you
may wish to use a chart so that as you read, you can note significant connections.
Steps:
1) Choose a connecting aspect across texts
Your investigation will be based on the THEME as a connecting ASPECT.
Three suitable texts will be analysed in class and you will need to compare how your connecting aspect is
presented across these selected texts.
You will need to choose the fourth text.
Check with your teacher that your text will provide you with the opportunity to achieve the standard at
every level.
2) Identify significant connections
Identify at least two significant connections between your chosen texts.
Select specific supporting evidence (examples) from the texts.
3) Analyse the significant connections
Study the links (connections) between the texts.
Make reasoned points that interpret the links that you have identified between the texts.
Provide supporting evidence for the points you make.
4) Present your analysis
Present your findings in a suitable format.
7
Feedback Text #1:
Feedback Text #2:
Feedback text # 3:
Feedback text #4:
8
Create a Theme Map
Once you’ve identified a major theme in your text, you can create a concept map to
understand exactly what your text is saying about this theme.
The sample theme map below is for the film Look Both Ways, directed by Sarah Watt.
EVIDENCE FROM CHARACTERS
------------------------------------------------------------Nick is plagued by thoughts of cancer, haunted by father’s
death.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meryl sees death and disaster everywhere.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Phil gives up smoking after Nick’s diagnosis.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Characters have to come to terms with death before they can
achieve happiness.
EVIDENCE FROM PLOT
-------------------------------------DEALING
Nick reflects on his father’s death.
with
------------------------------------------------DEATH
Meryl goes through stages of grief after her
father’s death.
-----------------------------------------------Train accident haunts Meryl, interests
Andy, causes grief to Julia.
-------------------------------------------Film ends on hopeful note.
------------------------------------
OTHER EVIDENCE
Setting could be any town or
city, suggesting that issues
are universal.
Photo montages show that
special moments in life
should be appreciated, even
if we die in the end.
QUOTES
------------------------------------------------------------“It doesn’t matter how life ends, it matters how it was.”
– Nick’s mother.
---------------------------------------------------------------------“Things just happen.” - Anna
----------------------------------------------------------------------“Everybody has to find a way to face their own death.”
- Nick’s mother.
9
Activity 1 (to be repeated for each class- studied and independently studied
text):
1. What do you think is a major theme of your text?
A major theme of your text: _____________________________________________________________________
Now you’ve identified a major theme in your text, you can create a concept map to
understand exactly what your text is saying about this theme.
2. Draw a diagram like the sample theme map above. Put the name of the major theme in
the middle.
3. Make a box for characters and a box for plot. In the boxes, write notes on how these
relate to the major theme.
4. Add a third box, labelled ‘Other’. This is where you can note down any other elements in
the text that relate to your major theme. For example, the setting is important to the
theme or the time span reinforces the relevance of the theme.
Symbols/techniques/language features could be in this box as well if you are analysing a
poem.
5. Finally, add a box for quotations that relate to the major theme. Try to have at least
three pieces of evidence.
6. Read back over what you’ve written. Do you have a better idea about what the author
or poet or director is saying about the major theme in your text after looking at all the
evidence you’ve gathered? Read the example below, then fill in the gaps in the
following sentences to form a simple statement about the theme.
Sample answer
A major theme of Look Both Ways is dealing with death. Sarah Watt suggests that we
shouldn’t waste out lives being afraid of death.
Your answer
A major theme of _________________________(title of your text) is
____________________________ (major theme). ___________________________(name
of author, director or playwright) suggests that _____________________________(author
or director’s point of view on the theme).
7. Next, show that you have some evidence for your contention. Fill in the gaps
following the model provided, to create a paragraph about the theme in your text.
Sample answer
She suggests this by depicting Meryl and Nick as distressed and unhappy when they’re
worried about death. It is also suggested by the fact that the film ends happily, with Meryl
and Nick together and by Nick’s mother’s words, “It doesn’t matter how life ends, it
matters how it was.’
10
Your answer
He/ She suggests this by _________________________________(one piece of evidence
from the Characters box in your concept map).
It is also suggested by ____________________________________(one piece of evidence
from the Plot box in your concept map) and by _____________________(character’s
name)’s words, ‘________________________________________________’ (key quotation
about the theme).
Different words for different genres
One of the requirements of the Theme Study topic is that you look at texts from several
different genres. You will have to be careful when choosing words to refer to different
genres. The following table will help you.
Creator
Person who
tells the story
Special
features
Novel
Short story
Biography
Autobiography
Memoir
Author
Narrator
Director
Playwright
Narrator/Voiceover Narrator
Poet
Speaker/Persona










Language
Chapters
Point of
view (firstperson or
thirdperson)
Film



Camera shots
Actors
Sound effects
and music
Lighting
Sets
Props
Play






Acts
Scenes
Sound
effects and
music
Lighting
Sets
Props
Poetry
Language
Metaphor
Simile
Imagery
11
Metalanguage for novels and short stories
To be able to discuss texts effectively, using the correct words will help you be precise when
talking about those texts. We use special vocabulary to discuss texts, which is called
METALANGUAGE. The following table shows some of the most useful words for talking and
writing about novels and short stories.
WORD
EXAMPLE
Author: The person who creates a text such
as a novel or short story
Context: The historical, social and cultural
environment the story is set in. For example,
context can refer to whether the story is set
during a war, or among the working class or
upper class.
Fiction: Any piece of writing that isn’t
intended to be a factual account of real-life
people or events.
Genre: The category a text belongs to. All
genres have certain ‘rules’ or guidelines for
their form or structure. For example, a novel
is longer than a short story, and biography is
a factual account of a real person’s life.
Main character: Who the story is mostly
about. This character usually has a realistic
and complicated personality, just like a real
person.
Minor character: Other characters in the
text who don’t play as big a role as the main
character.
Narrative: A story which may be true or
fictitious.
Narrator: The person or ‘voice’ who tells the
story.
The author of Maestro is Peter Goldsworthy.
First-person narrative: A narrative told from
one character’s point of view. That character
uses words ‘I’ and ‘me’ to refer to themself.
Third-person narrative: A narrative told
from the point of view of someone who is
not one of the characters in the text. All
characters are referred to as ‘he’, ‘she’ and
‘they’.
Nonfiction: A story that is based on real- life
events or people.
The novel The White Tiger is a first-person
narrative.
A Farewell to Arms is set in the context of
World War I.
Nineteen Eighty- Four is a fiction text.
Hard Times belongs to the novel genre.
The main character in A Man for All Seasons
is Sir Thomas Moore.
Margaret is a minor character in A Man for
All Seasons.
A Farewell to Arms is a narrative about war
by Ernest Hemingway.
The narrator of Aravind Adiga’s novel The
White Tiger is an uneducated but confident
young man, Balram Halwai.
Hard Times is a third-person narrative.
The Marriage Trap is a nonfiction text.
12
Plot: The arrangement of events in the text.
It can also refer to the main storyline.
Setting: The time and place the events in the
text happen.
Subplot: A minor storyline within the main
story.
Structure: The way the elements or ‘bits’ of
the text are arranged. For example, the text
may have events happening chronologically,
i.e. from earliest to most recent, as in real
life. Or it might use flashbacks, have one or
two subplots running alongside the major
plot, or be divided into sections.
Theme: A major idea running through the
text. Examples are growing up, justice,
oppression, freedom of choice, identity, etc.
Values: Qualities that are thought to be
important to live a good life. Examples are
honesty, courage and loyalty.
The plot of Maestro begins with Paul meeting
Herr Keller and ends with Keller’s death.
The setting of Richard III is England in the
fifteenth century.
A subplot of The White Tiger concerns the
relationship between Balram Halwai and his
family.
The structure of The White Tiger has roughly
three sections – Balram’s life in his village,
his life and work in Delhi as a chauffeur, and
his life after he had committed a murder.
Death is a major theme in Look Both Ways.
Remaining true to oneself is a value
endorsed by A Man for All Seasons.
The following table will help you use correct words when talking about poetry. Please note
that it does not include figures of speech – you will get a special handout for that.
Metalanguage for poetry
WORD
EXAMPLE
Free verse: Poetry that doesn’t follow any
regular pattern or rhythm or rhyme.
Rhyme: When words at the end of a verse or
line sound the same.
Rhythm: The pattern of beats or stresses in a
line.
Kasischke’s ‘Bike Ride with Older Boys’ is
written in free verse form.
In Judith Wright’s ‘Bullocky’, the second and
fourth lines of each stanza rhyme .
The rhythm of “North Country” by Slessor
stems from repeated alliterative endings
such as ‘volleys/valleys’, ‘falling/feeling’ and
‘sucking/seeking’.
Judith Wright often uses native Australian
birds and plants as symbols in her poems.
Symbol: An object used to represent
something else; for example, a dove is a
common symbol of peace.
Stanza: a unit within a poem which consists
of a grouping of lines or verses.
Verse: A single line in a metrical
composition.
Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’ consists of four
stanzas.
Each stanza in Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’
consists of five verses.
13
Metalanguage for films
Word
Definition
The use of camera to capture images on film. Cinematography
Cinematography determines what we see and how we see it; for example, as a close-up,
from a distance, as a static shot (where the camera doesn’t move) or as a
tracking shot (where the entire camera moves).
The most common type of edit. One shot ends and the next begins
Cut
immediately, usually with the sound continuing over the cut. For
example, in one conversation there might be cuts between shots of
different characters.
Director
The person who interprets the script, tells the actors what to do and runs
the film shoot.
Dissolve
A kind of edit. Two shots overlap briefly as the shot that is ending
‘dissolves’ into the next.
Edit
A way of joining two shots. Often the edit is so smooth, the audience
can’t tell where one shot ends and the next begins.
Fade
The screen fades to black between shots. This often indicates a
significant change of pace or time.
Mise-en-scene
A French term meaning all the visual elements within the frame of the
shot, including setting, costumes, lighting, etc.
Shot
A continuous, uninterrupted section of the film. Most shots don’t last
more than ten seconds.
A type of edit where there is a clear dividing line on the screen between
Wipe
one shot and the next. We see the new shot appear in part of the screen
to ‘wipe away’ the shot that it’s replacing.
Referring to texts
Another important point to be aware of is that no matter what tense your text is written in,
always use the present tense when referring to texts in your essays.
WRONG: In her novel Year of Wonders, Geraldine Brooks detailed how the villagers of
Eyam were driven to sometimes cruel and irrational behaviour due to the fear they endured
as a result of the plague.
RIGHT: In her novel Year of Wonders, Geraldine Brooks details how the villagers of Eyam
are driven to sometimes cruel and irrational behaviour due to the fear they endure as a
result of the plague.
14
Now that you have a number of tools to help you deal with your texts and tasks, you are
ready to start. Remember to create a theme map with a summary paragraph for each text
you study and read (see pages 9 &10). Use the blank space(s) provided to draw your map.
TEXT 1- a novel (Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury)
THEME MAP
SUMMARY
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________.
15
THEME
Themes are presented through elements of the text: setting, plot, character and style.
Identify the main theme of the text.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
Identify the minor theme(s) if present.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
How are the themes presented in the text you have studied? How does this text connect to
our theme? What does it deal with? Outline one incident in the text which explores the
theme. Provide quotations and details in your answer.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
In what way does the text comment on society?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
In what way(s) does this text lead the reader to reconsider his/her values and/or beliefs?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
16
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
In what ways has this text helped you to understand a situation unfamiliar to you?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
In what ways has this text helped you to understand a situation that is familiar to you?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
How is this text similar or different from something else you have read or viewed this year?
Give details and quotations in your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the text you have studied at presenting the theme.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
17
Copy and memorize key quotes which relate to the main theme of the text. Beneath each
quote write a sentence or two about it. E.g. identify its location in the text, characters
involved, outline the incident and explain why the text is significant.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
TEXT 2- a poem (The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost)
THEME MAP
18
Summary:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
Identify the main theme of the text.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
Identify the minor theme(s) if present.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
How are the themes presented in the text you have studied? Outline one incident in the text
which explores the theme.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
How is this text similar or different from something else you have read or viewed this year?
Give details and quotations in your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
19
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the text you have studied at presenting the theme.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
In what way(s) does this text lead the reader to reconsider his/her values and/or beliefs?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
In what ways has this text helped you to understand a situation unfamiliar to you?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
In what ways has this text helped you to understand a situation that is familiar to you?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the text you have studies at presenting the theme.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
20
Copy and memorise key quotes which relate to the main theme of the text. Beneath each
quote write a sentence or two about it. E.g. identify its location in the text, characters
involved, outline the incident and explain why the text is significant.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
What language techniques are evident in this text? Which language technique reinforces the
theme?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
Discuss the distinctive features of the language techniques.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
What examples of symbolism are evident?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
21
Discuss the importance of symbolism in the text.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
Discuss the importance of one of the following features: imagery, structure, sound, or
vocabulary.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
Discuss the point of view taken by the writer and the effect it creates.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
Text 3 – your choice!
THEME MAP
22
Summary:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
Identify the main theme of the text.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
Identify the minor theme(s) if present.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
How are the themes presented in the text you have studied? Outline one incident in the text
which explores the theme.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
23
__________________________________________________________________________.
How is this text similar or different from something else you have read or viewed this year?
Give details and quotations in your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
In what way does the text comment on society/race/culture/personal growth/maturity etc?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
In what way(s) does this text lead the reader to reconsider his/her values and/or beliefs?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
In what ways has this text helped you to understand a situation unfamiliar to you?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
In what ways has this text helped you to understand a situation that is familiar to you?
24
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the text you have studies at presenting the theme.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Copy and memorise key quotes which relate to the main theme of the text. Beneath each
quote write a sentence or two about it. E.g. identify its location in the text, characters
involved, outline the incident and explain why the text is significant.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
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TEXT 4
VISUAL TEXT
Film summary sheet
Title: __________________________ Director: ________________________
Main character(s):_________________________________________________________
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Minor characters: _________________________________________________________
This text is about (outline the basic details of the plot. Try to come up with between five and
ten key events):
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
Is the story told chronologically?
YES/NO
Are flashbacks (jumps back in timeline) used? YES/NO
Example__________________________________________________________
Are flashforwards (jumps forward in time) used? YES/NO
Example _______________________________________________________________
The text connects to our theme because it deals with ( provide specific details in your
answer): ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
What is the director’s point of view on our theme?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Identify more themes in this film.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
An exact shot/angle/costume/music choice/lighting/dialogue choice that showed the theme
well was:
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___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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The theme was reinforced/further developed by the director’s choice of:
___________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
How is this text similar, or different from something else you have read/viewed this year?
Give specific details in your answer.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________.
UNDERSTANDING ANALYSIS
The first word in each of the levels of the Achievement criteria is ANALYSE. It is vital to know
what is meant by the word in this context. The essay topic, which is more commonly an
instruction than a question, will name specifically the aspect of text that you are going to
write about ( in this case it is going to be a theme). The extra things that you are required to
do are to comment on the details you have chosen and relate them to the topic. You will
write a formal essay of the following structure: S.X.E. (Statement, eXample, Explanation).
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The grade you get will depend on how much analysis you give and how clever that analysis
is. Essays that get the higher grades tend to be longer and have more supportive evidence,
but the main reason for the higher grade is that there is more, and more perceptive analysis.
Simple analysis includes explanations like these:
 What does it mean? E.g. Fire is a symbol of power, it can be used destructively or
constructively.
 Why did the character(s) do or say this? This explains setting, plot, character – things
within the text.
 What difference did this make? This explains the importance of the details you have
described and how the theme is conveyed.
Perceptive analysis includes explanations like these:
 How does this fit in with things in the text? E.g. Is it part of the
climax/contrast/parallel (main plot – subplot) structure?
 How does this work? (Does it continue or complete a developing idea or mood? Or is
it a change or contradiction?)
 How does this make me feel? (How is the author/poet/director manipulating my
feelings? Why?)
 What does this make me think? (How does this fit into the themes of the text?)
 How can this be linked to the world ‘beyond the text’? ( What cross-overs are there
between the author and his/her life or us and our lives on the one hand and the
world inside the text on the other?)
 How well does this work? (How appropriate, powerful, perceptive, clear or moving is
the use of this technique here?)
WRITING YOUR ESSAY
Your Connections analysis will need to be well-structured, well-organised and have a sound
form.
A good introduction
 Shows that you understand the topic through rewording or defining the key words
 Shows a clear contention ( elaborated theme statement that you are going to
analyse)
 Indicates the main supporting points you will include in your essay
Sentence starters for introduction(s);





The author/director/playwright/poet considers the idea that…
(Name of text) suggests that…
(Name of text) explores the themes of…
While (name of text) suggests that…, it also suggests that…
The author/director/playwright/poet of (name of text) uses (techniques) to convet
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the point that…
 (Name of text) shows (name of character) to be… This is conveyed through…
A good body paragraph
 Is specific and states what the paragraph is about
 Includes supporting evidence
 Explains and analyses details
 Relates your answer to the original topic
Sentence starters for body paragraphs:
 (Name of text) shows that…through the use of techniques such as…
 (Character’s name) is depicted as…This is shown, for example, when he/she…
 (Character’s name) undergoes a significant change in the text. He /she is…at the
beginning of the text but becomes…by the end of the text.
 The author/director/playwright/poet’s interest in the theme of…is expressed through
the experiences of (character’s name)
 The structure of the text reflects the themes of…
 (Episode in the text) illustrates the author’s point of view on the (theme).
 A recurring symbol in the text is… which is associated with…
 This is evident when (event in the text)
 (Character’s name) embodies the values of… The author promotes/disapproves of
these values, as shown by…
 (Name of the text) endorses the values of…
A good conclusion:
 Is one paragraph only
 Re-states your contention and briefly summarises the main points
 Does not use the same words if possible
 Does not introduce new points
 Sums up your planning
Sentence starters for conclusions:
In summary, it is apparent that…
The evidence suggests that…
In conclusion, it can be seen that…
As has been shown…
The text demonstrates…
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Linking words
Using linking words will make your essay flow much better. Here are some examples to help
you :
To express a similar
point
To express an
opposing point
To expand on a
point
Similarly…
Likewise…
In the same way…
Equally…
So too…
Besides…
By contrast…
On the other hand…
However…
Yet…
While…
Despite this…
In comparison…
Nevertheless…
Furthermore…
Moreover…
In addition…
For example…
For instance…
What’s more…
Additionally…
To express a logical
progression in your
analysis
Therefore…
As a result…
Consequently…
Thus…
For this reason…
In conclusion…
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