Determining Themes in Literature

The video tutorial teaches how to determine the theme of a story by asking what the author wants the reader to learn. It uses 'The Reformation of Jimmy Valentine' as an example, emphasizing that themes are broad life lessons applicable to multiple stories. The tutorial outlines criteria for identifying themes, such as being a life lesson and not specific to one story. It demonstrates analyzing a character's change to support the theme and provides a step-by-step guide to test and record themes.

What is the primary question to ask when determining the theme of a story?

• Where is the story set?

• What is the genre of the story?

• What does the author want me to learn?

• What is the main character's name?

Which of the following is NOT a criterion for a theme?

• It is a life lesson.

• It applies to multiple stories.

• It is specific to one story.

• A story can have more than one theme.

Which theme was identified as the best fit for 'The Reformation of Jimmy Valentine'?

• Honesty is the best policy.

• People can and do change.

• What comes around goes around.

• Love conquers all.

What tool is suggested to compare a character's transformation in a story?

• A line graph

• A pie chart

• A T-chart

• A bar graph

What was Jimmy Valentine like at the beginning of the story?

• An honest businessman

• A caring family man

• A sneaky bank robber

• A detective

What does the theme test check for?

• If the theme is a plot twist

• If the theme is a character's name

• If the theme is specific to the story

• If the theme is a life lesson

Which of the following is a step in determining the theme of a story?

• Determine the setting

• Count the number of pages

• Identify the author's favorite character

• Review the text and what you learned

What is the final step in determining a theme according to the lesson?

• Write a summary of the story

• Test and record your theme

• Draw a picture of the main character

• List all the characters

Why is it important to ensure a theme is not specific to one story?

• To confuse the reader

• To make it more entertaining

• To apply it to multiple situations

• To make it easier to remember

What does the lesson suggest you do after identifying a theme?

• Write a new story

• Share it with friends

• Forget about it

• Look for evidence to support it