Theme Statements

Which of the following is NOT a THEME STATEMENT?

• Acceptance

• People have to work hard to get what you want in life.

• Greediness can cause problems with relationships.

• Some tasks are better completed using teamwork.

Which of the following is an example of aTHEME STATEMENT?

• Connor overcame his obstacles with his mindset

• Rosa took a bad situation and made the best of it

• Friendship

• People's decisions are often an indication of their true character

One way you could figure out the theme is to...

• Skim through the story

• Just read the beginning of the story

• Think about what the character has learned

• Read the ending of the story

Which of the following is an example of THEME?

• Carry your laptops with two hands at all times.

• Cereal is the healthiest food you can eat.

• How much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

• Life is short; make the most of it.

If the topic is knowledge, which of the following is a good theme statement?

• Too much learning is a dangerous thing.

• Follow the rules.

• It takes a village to raise a child.

• It's not the gift that counts.

The best definition of theme is...

• The lesson the author is teaching. 

• The message the author is sending.

• A word that summarizes the story.

• The character's main problem.

Unlike the topic of literature, a theme ...

• can be expressed in one word

• always shows the setting

• is always stated directly in the text

• cannot be just one word

A theme should be supported by ...

• your own words

• evidence from the text

• rationale/reasoning

• ALL of the above

Themes are universal because ...

• all humans share common experiences

• authors add them to make the writing meaningful

• the entire universe enjoys them

• the stories go on forever

Which of the following is NOT an example of a theme?

• Treat others the way you want to be treated.

• The little boy lied to his mother.

• With hard work, you can accomplish anything.

• You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.