IDENTIFYING THEME

Learning Objectives

At the end of this Module, you’ll be able to: Tell the difference between the topic of a story and the theme of a story.

What is THEME?

What is Theme?

Theme is [THE ME]ssage, the lesson or the moral of the story.

The topic of the story is the main idea or gist of the story.

What is Theme?

THEMEStory

Identifying Theme

In his 10th grade year of high school, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play at that level, so Jordan was cut from the team.

Identifying Theme

Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer. When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.

Think about it…

What is the topic?

What is the theme?

Identifying Theme

In his 10th grade year of high school, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play at that level, so Jordan was cut from the team.

Identifying Theme Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat

him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer. When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.

Identifying Theme

What is the topic?

What is the theme?

Michael Jordan worked hard to become a professional basketball player.

Hard work pays off.

Identifying Theme

Hard work pays off.

Michael Jordan works hard to become a great basketball player.

Themes in Literature

Themes in Literature

At the end of this module, you’ll be able to: Identify common themes found in literature.

Identify a theme of a story and use text evidence to support it.

Charlotte’s Web

A talking spider helps save a pig.

friendship, self-sacrifice, perseverance

Topic Theme

The Ugly Duckling

An ugly duckling grows up to be a beautiful swan.

Self-Confidence, individuality, don’t judge a book by its cover

Topic Theme

Now you Try

On the following slide, watch Derek Munson’s Enemy Pie.

Look for things that happen that show the narrator is learning a lesson.

Take the quiz on the slide following the video.

Now you Try: Enemy Pie

Enemy Pie Theme

What is the theme?

A. A boy makes friends with his enemy. B. Making enemy pie will make enemies

go away. C. The best way to get rid of an enemy is

to make him your friend. D. Making pie for people will always make

them your friend.

Enemy Pie Theme

What is the theme?

A. A boy makes friends with his enemy. B. Making enemy pie will make enemies

go away. C. The best way to get rid of an

enemy is to make him your friend. D. Making pie for people will always

make them your friend.

Text Evidence

The boy thinks Jeremy Ross is his enemy.

His dad makes him spend a day with Jeremy Ross.

The boy doesn’t want to give him the enemy pie because he had fun.

He takes Jeremy Ross off of his enemy list.

Common Themes

What other common themes have you seen in stories you have read?

Friendship? Honesty? Loyalty? Courage? Cooperation? Kindness? Perseverance? Compassion?

Theme

Remember: [THE ME]ssage

The best way to get rid of an enemy is to make him your friend.

The boy makes friends with his enemy.