How can I find the theme of a text?

What is theme? Theme is a big idea and a related lesson. It is something that you can learn about life in general… The bigger message hidden in the story.

Finding themes Sometimes, an author will come right out and state the theme of a story or poem. I looked at all the candy I could buy. I had the dollar, right here in my hand, but suddenly I didn’t feel hungry. I wished that I hadn’t stolen the dollar. I wished that I hadn’t taken the money from my brother’s bank. “I don’t think I want to buy anything today,” I muttered quickly to the clerk. Then I ran from the store. I had learned something important—it’s better to be honest than to have money.

Finding themes Sometimes, an author will come right out and state the theme of a story or poem I looked at all the candy I could buy. I had the dollar, right here in my hand, but suddenly I didn’t feel hungry. I wished that I hadn’t stolen the dollar. I wished that I hadn’t taken the money from my brother’s bank. “I don’t think I want to buy anything today,” I muttered quickly to the clerk. Then I ran from the store. I had learned something important—it’s better to be honest than to have money.

Finding theme Usually, though, the theme is not stated. Then, you need to make an inference. We knew that it was time to set the butterfly free. We had seen it make its chrysalis and emerge. Then it had flown around in the cage, trying to stretch its wings. Although we felt a little sad, we opened the lid to the cage one evening. The butterfly seemed confused and didn’t leave at first. Then, in one burst of zigzag fluttering, it erupted from the cage and flew all the way to the end of the yard and down the hill by the school. “That was the right thing to do,” Aidan said. “I know,” I answered, even though I already worried about the butterfly. What would it eat? How would it live?

Finding theme Sometimes, though, the theme is not stated. Then, you need to make an inference. We knew that it was time to set the butterfly free. We had seen it make its chrysalis and emerge. Then it had flown around in the cage, trying to stretch its wings. Although we felt a little sad, we opened the lid to the cage one evening. The butterfly seemed confused and didn’t leave at first. Then, in one burst of zigzag fluttering, it erupted from the cage and flew all the way to the end of the yard and down the hill by the school. “That was the right thing to do,” Aidan said. “I know,” I answered, even though I already worried about the butterfly. What would it eat? How would it live? What clues lead us to the theme?

Finding theme Sometimes, though, the theme is not stated. Then, you need to make an inference. We knew that it was time to set the butterfly free. We had seen it make its chrysalis and emerge. Then it had flown around in the cage, trying to stretch its wings. Although we felt a little sad, we opened the lid to the cage one evening. The butterfly seemed confused and didn’t leave at first. Then, in one burst of zigzag fluttering, it erupted from the cage and flew all the way to the end of the yard and down the hill by the school. “That was the right thing to do,” Aidan said. “I know,” I answered, even though I already worried about the butterfly. What would it eat? How would it live? What clues lead us to the theme?

Finding theme Big idea: FREEDOM Lesson: We knew that it was time to set the butterfly free. We had seen it make its chrysalis and emerge. Then it had flown around in the cage, trying to stretch its wings. Although we felt a little sad, we opened the lid to the cage one evening. The butterfly seemed confused and didn’t leave at first. Then, in one burst of zigzag fluttering, it erupted from the cage and flew all the way to the end of the yard and down the hill by the school. “That was the right thing to do,” Aidan said. “I know,” I answered, even though I already worried about the butterfly. What would it eat? How would it live? Big idea: FREEDOM Lesson: All creatures deserve their freedom.

Identifying Themes To make theme as clear as possible this year, you will be identifying it in two ways. 1. BIG IDEA: This is one or two words that tell what they story is really about. 2. Related LESSON or moral (one sentence) that supports the big idea. BIG IDEA = one or two words Lesson = sentence supporting the big idea

Common Themes Lesson BIG IDEA Challenges If you work hard, you can overcome any challenge. Confidence If you believe in yourself, anything is possible. Choices Make the right choices, or you’ll face the consequences. Fairness Always treat others how you would want to be treated. Perseverance Never give up. Diversity Accept and learn from peoples’ differences. Honesty It is always better to tell the truth. Courage Facing your fears will help you reach your goals. Friendship Good friends can change your life.

WARNING Notice that the theme DOES NOT MENTION the characters or specific events of the story. It is bigger than that! Think about how the story relates to the world in general. TRY IT: Which is a theme? 1. TRUST: Little Red Riding Hood should not have trusted the wolf. 2. TRUST: Do not trust strangers.

ANSWER Which is a theme? 1. TRUST: Little Red Riding Hood should not have trusted the wolf. 2. TRUST: Do not trust strangers. The theme should be a life lesson for anyone, not just for the characters in one story. #2 is a theme, but #1 is NOT. It is, however, an example from the story to explain the theme. This comes next…

EVIDENCE Once you figure out the theme (big idea and lesson), the next step is to find evidence to prove that it is a theme of THIS text. Ask yourself: What made me think of this big idea? How do I know this lesson is important for the character(s) in my story? What happened in the story that helps me learn this lesson? How will others know what the author was really trying to say? By Emily Kissner

Can you find the theme? A day to play Got washed away. Rain comes down, Covers town. Eyes are sad. Rain is bad! Come downstairs. Get the chairs. Blankets, sheet, Looking neat! Inside forts Instead of sports Rainy day tears Can turn into cheers. How does the speaker feel about the beginning of the poem? How do the speaker’s feelings change?

Can you find the theme? Choices A day to play Got washed away. Rain comes down, Covers town. Eyes are sad. Rain is bad! Come downstairs. Get the chairs. Blankets, sheet, Looking neat! Inside forts Instead of sports Rainy day tears Can turn into cheers. Choices PERSISTENCE: Never give up because persistence really pays off. ATTITUDE: With the right attitude, you can make something good out of something bad. LOVE: Love conquers all.

Can you find the theme? Choices A day to play Got washed away. Rain comes down, Covers town. Eyes are sad. Rain is bad! Come downstairs. Get the chairs. Blankets, sheet, Looking neat! Inside forts Instead of sports Rainy day tears Can turn into cheers. Choices PERSISTENCE: Never give up because persistence really pays off. ATTITUDE: With the right attitude, you can make something good out of something bad. LOVE: Love conquers all.

SUPPORT WITH EVIDENCE Big idea: ATTITUDE Lesson: With the right attitude, you can make something good out of something bad. Evidence from the text: -The speaker didn’t let a rainy day spoil his/her mood. He/She built indoor forts and made it so that a rainy day was still fun! A day to play Got washed away. Rain comes down, Covers town. Eyes are sad. Rain is bad! Come downstairs. Get the chairs. Blankets, sheet, Looking neat! Inside forts Instead of sports Rainy day tears Can turn into cheers.

Let’s Review Step 1: Find the BIG IDEA. Step 2: Find the moral or lesson related to the big idea. Step 3: Find evidence in the text to support your choices. By Emily Kissner

Your Turn Think about book you have read and movies you have watched What themes did you notice? Do you see the same themes come up again and again? Now it’s time for you to find some themes in your reading! By Emily Kissner