Determine the Theme

Your past does not determine the person you can become in the future.

This sentence is most likely an example of:

• main idea

• summary

• theme

• topic

In a piece of narrative text, what is the "theme"?

• What the story is about

• The topic of the text

• A message the author is trying to get across to the reader

• Where and when the story happens

"You can do it!" shouted her father, as he pushed Chloe and let go. She was going on her own, but suddenly fell. She cried, but said, "Again, daddy!" This time she went farther but fell into the ditch. A few moments later, she was riding down the street, smiling from ear to ear.

Which best represents the theme or moral?

• You should sacrifice for others.

• Give up when things are tough.

• When you are greedy, you will fall down.

• You should never give up.

What does theme add to a story?

• A sense of location

• Motivation for the characters

• An important message

• Dialogue for the characters

Choose the BEST answer: A story's main theme might be difficult to figure out because...

• Authors rarely want the reader to figure it out.

• Only complicated, adult stories have themes.

• It has little to do with plot, characters, and other story elements.

• It is rarely stated y.

Themes are universal because...

• all humans share common experiences

• the entire universe enjoys them

• authors add them to make the writing more interesting

• the stories go on forever

Unlike the topic of literature, a theme ...

• can be expressed in one word

• cannot be just one word

• is always stated directly in the text

• always shows the setting

Which of the following could be a theme of a story?

• Friendship

• Friendships can teach you important life long lessons.

• Sonja and Mariel were no longer friends due to a big misunderstanding.

• First Jean forgot to study, then he asked to cheat off his friend's test, the teacher caught them, and Jean received a zero.

Which of the following could be a theme in a story?

• "Fear, you don't own me!”

• Some people are scared of heights.

• Self-esteem is something that is lacking in a lot of preteens.

• You should find your own self worth instead of relying on other people's opinions.

Which of the following quotes supports the theme: Being afraid can prevent us from doing what we are really capable of in life.

• "Due to her fear of public speaking, Anna passed up the opportunity to speak at a national conference.”

• "Sonya stepped back from the edge since she felt a little queasy when she looked down.”

• "Ming's mother, and graphic designer, traded her time with our neighbor, Mr. Phillips, a music teacher, so he could get quality piano lessons.”

• "Joanna smiled and burst out laughing when Chip started dancing in the middle of the crowded store. She loved how is was not scared of making a fool out of himself.”