What is theme?

1
What is theme?

• The theme is a message or a lesson that the
  author wants to share.
• There can be more than 1 theme!

2
Theme vs plot

• The theme of the book is different from the plot.
  
• Plot is what the characters do
• Theme is the lesson or moral underlying the plot.

3
Theme goes with the subject

• Subject is what the piece is about. We can
  usually tell what the subject is with 1 word.
• For example Romeo and Juliet is about
  ________________
• Theme What does the novel say about the
  subject? This is a complete sentence.

4
Theme must go beyond the book

• Themes teach us lessons about life.
• They do not just teach things about the
  characters in the book.
• For example Beauty and the Beast
• Belle learns that true beauty comes from within
• How do we know? She gives the beast a chance
  even though he is ugly and a monster.

5
How do I find the theme?

• Decide what the conflict of the story is.
• What did the character learn from the conflict
  being resolved?
• Form the answer into a sentence about a life
  lesson.

6
Rules for Themes

• The theme cannot be a command or a question
• The theme cannot contain character names or
  events from the story.
• The theme SHOULD be written in third person.
• There must be evidence to back up the theme of a
  story. (be able to support your idea)

7
Lets try this example

• YouTube - Dr. Seuss - The Zax
• What is the conflict?
• What did the character learn from the resolution?
• What is the theme of the story?

8
One more Watch the video What is the theme?

• Part 1 Part 2
• Discuss the questions with your neighbor.
• What is the conflict?
• What did the character learn from the resolution?
• What is the theme of the story?