Teach fact vs. opinion before teaching main idea and theme
Isn't it true that main idea in nonfiction will often be fact, though it could be opinion.
Theme is always opinion, isn't it?
Where do you find themes? books, poems, plays, stories
We usually think of theme in conjunction with fiction, but nonfiction stories sometimes also have themes
What is a theme in literature?
A theme is a message about life or human nature presented within a piece of writing. The theme will usually be brought up in several different ways within that piece. A story usually has at least one theme. However, a story may have more than one theme.
You won't go far astray if you think of the theme as "the moral of the story."
An author may present a theme explicitly, as in Aesop's fables which end by stating the "moral of the story."
Most of the time you must infer themes by adding up information from the story.
Things to know about theme:
A theme will be stated as a complete sentence.
A theme: Honesty is the best policy.
Not a theme: Honesty (This is a topic or subject.)
A theme makes a statement. It does not ask a question. [Themes are opinions.]
Not a theme: Is honesty the best policy?
A theme is about BIG, universal ideas, not ideas that are specific to just one situation or story.
Not a theme: Joel should not lied about what happened to his dad's car.
A theme: Honesty is the best policy.
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Helps to Figure Out What the Theme Is:
- Look at the title. It may reflect the story's topic, its theme, or both. Sometimes the title is not helpful in determining the theme, but it may help to ask:
- What does each word in the title mean?
- What ideas does the title emphasize?
- Consider the plot. A story's plot often revolves around a conflict that is important to the theme. Ask:
- What conflicts do the characters face?
- How are the conflicts resolved?
- Consider the characters. What characters do and learn can reflect a theme. Ask:
- What are the main characters like?
- Analyze their speech, thoughts, and actions.
- How do the characters respond to the conflicts?
- How do the characters change?
- What lessons do the characters learn?
- Consider the setting. A setting (place and time) can suggest theme through its effects on the characters and on the events in the story. Ask:
- How does the setting influence the characters?
- How does the setting affect the conflicts?
- What might the setting represent? (For example, a historical setting, such as London in the mid-1800s when many people lived in poverty, may suggest a theme related to generosity or greed.)
"Helps" adapted from Holt McDougal Literature, Common Core Edition, Grade 7 2012
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
page 318
Vocabulary:
explicit
implicit
complete sentence
The Fox and the Grapes from http://www.taleswithmorals.com/ An Aesop's Fable One hot summer's day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. "Just the thing to quench my thirst," quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: "I am sure they are sour." Moral of Aesop's Fable: It is easy to despise what you cannot get. The Boy Who Cried Wolf: Do not lie, or people will not trust you when you need help. Honesty is the best policy. Nobody believes a liar ... even when he's telling the truth! Never tell a lie. LA Literary Theme Analysis PDF Topic and theme: page 6 - (Though this source uses words words rather than sentences to name themes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtvidpXED6U Disney's The Country Cousin -- other themes? Compare the fable to the cartoon Fable: http://www.taleswithmorals.com/aesop-fable-the-town-mouse-and-the-country-mouse.htm Another version: The country mouse and the city mouse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xKY3B8soZs Character and Theme A young reviewer/guide for Teen Book Club commented, referring to the book STORMBRINGERS by Philippa Gregory " One thing that really stood out to me in this book are the names. The names sound very unusual and very guttural. I feel that the names make the setting all the more authentic. Names of characters have a lot of power and are what you will identify the ideas of the novel with. They give shape to the ideas that the character stands for. What is your opinion about names on characters? Do you feel they are very important or not? Until next time, Advith Vashist" ________________________ Links to information and examples of themes on cavemanenglish.blogspot.com
topic and theme
Student Examples for Themes http://cavemanenglish.blogspot.com/2008/11/student-examples-for-themes.html
more
examples from students
http://cavemanenglish.blogspot.com/2008/11/more-examples-of-theme-from-students.html
Some
examples from Words By Heart
http://cavemanenglish.blogspot.com/2012/02/tuesday-february-7-2012.html
example
from The Giver
http://cavemanenglish.blogspot.com/2008/11/another-example-of-theme.html
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