1. THEME! The answer to the never ending question: What was the point of this story?

2. What is THEME? Theme is: the central idea or message They are:  Universal (apply to the real world; should NOT mention specific characters)  Statements (not questions)

3. How do I find the THEME of a story? STEP ONE: Identify an abstract noun that BEST describes what the story deals with  Ex: love, fear, kindness, good vs. evil, loneliness, family, greed, jealousy, etc…  Abstract noun for “The Three Little Pigs”: Work ethic

4. How do I find the THEME of a story? STEP TWO: Identify what the author is saying ABOUT that abstract noun  Ex: (Three Little Pigs) “It is best to work hard and do things right the first time rather than take short cuts to finish faster.”  NOTICE:  I did not mention any characters  This is a full sentence long, not one word

5. How do I find the THEME of a story? STEP THREE: Defend your theme with evidence (quotes) from the text!  Ex: The theme for “The Three Little Pigs” is it is best to work hard and do things right the first time rather than take short cuts to finish faster. I know this because the first two pigs took the easy route to make their houses out of straw and sticks. When the wolf came he “huffed and he puffed and he blew the house down…”  Your theme statements must include at least 3 quotes from the story!

6. Let’s try identifying a theme together!

7. Now, try one on your own!  Pixar Animated Short – “For the Birds”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYTrIcn4 rjg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYTrIcn4 rjg