Identifying Theme

Theme is the __________________ idea

• obvious

• withering

• unifying

• meaning

Theme- a search for ______________

Theme is what the author is trying to __________ the reader.

• message

• idea

• teach

• plot

Theme is ... the author is trying to express to the reader.

• the plot

• the conflict

• ideas about life

• primary

Theme could be a __________ or ____________ the reader can take away from a work of literature.

• burger and fries

• setting and conflict

• message or lesson

• chart or graph

Theme typically is ____________ by the reader. The author doesn't come right out and tell you.

• generated

• structured

• inferred

• believed

Step one in identifying theme is

• ranking theme in order of hierarchy

• think about the challenges the main character is facing

• read through to the end of the text

• Both plot and theme develop over the course of the novel

Step 2 in identifying theme is

• pay attention to the plot

• ranking the theme in order of hierarchy

• Ask yourself, "What is the main character struggling with?"

• Ask yourself, "What does the author want me to believe?"

Step 3 in how to identify theme

• Ask yourself, "What does the author want me to believe?"

• Pay attention to how the main character reacts to and solves the problem

• Finish the book to read where the author told you the theme

• the topic is the theme

Pay attention to the __________

• secondary characters

• the title

• the plot

• the descriptive details