What’s the BIG IDEA? What’s the Universally True Thematic Statement? “There’s no place like home.” “Slow and steady wins the race.” Do these messages sound familiar?

Theme The theme is the message the author is sending you through the events of the story. The message The meaning

What is the difference between topic and theme? A topic (the abstract thematic idea) can be summed up in a word or two: “taking risks.” A theme is a message about life that a writer wants you to understand. A thematic statement, however, is a writer’s message about that topic: “Life’s biggest rewards come from taking risks.”

“The Young Crab and His Mother” (An Aesop Fable)

“Why in the world do you walk sideways like that?” said a mother crab to her son. “You should always walk straight forward with your toes turned out.” “Show me how to walk, mother dear,” answered the little crab obediently, “I want to learn.”

So the old crab tried and tried to walk straight forward.

But she could walk sideways only, like her son. And when she wanted to turn her toes out, she tripped and fell on her nose. What is the theme, the meaning, the message? We often criticize others for behavior we exhibit ourselves. We often criticize others for behavior we exhibit ourselves. MORAL = Do not tell others how to act unless you can set a good example. MORAL = Do not tell others how to act unless you can set a good example.

“Thank you, M’am” by Langston Huges Topic: Second chances Thematic statements: Everyone deserves a second chance. An act of kindness can make a difference in a person’s life.

Clues to Theme The title may reflect a story’s topic, its theme, or both. The title may reflect a story’s topic, its theme, or both. Ask: Ask: “What does each word in the title mean?” “What ideas does the title emphasize?”

Clues to Theme A story’s plot often revolves around a conflict that is important to the theme. A story’s plot often revolves around a conflict that is important to the theme. Ask: Ask: “What conflicts do the character’s face?” “How are the conflicts resolved?” “Did the main character succeed or fail to resolve the conflict?” “Did the main character learn something?”

Clues to Theme What characters do and learn can reflect a theme. Ask: Ask: “What are the main characters like?” “How do the characters respond to the conflicts?” “How do the characters change?” “What lessons do the characters learn?”

Clues to Theme A setting can suggest a theme because of what it means to the characters. A setting can suggest a theme because of what it means to the characters. Ask: Ask: “How does the setting influence the characters?” “How does the setting affect the conflicts?” “What might the setting represent?” “Why did the author select a particular setting?” (Rainy night? Child’s bedroom? Mountain wilderness? 1920’s?)

Let’s look at a few more Aesop’s fables: “The Fox and the Grapes” “The Fox and the Grapes” “The Bundle of Sticks” “The Bundle of Sticks”

Universally True Thematic Statements Universally - Globally True – True of mankind, regardless of country or culture Thematic – characteristic about people’s tendency to act, think, or behave a certain way Statements – Declarative sentence

Don’t confuse moral with theme! Moral If you want to go far in life, you might have to endure tough times. If you want to go far in life, you might have to endure tough times. UTTS Through hardship, we can overcome prejudice and strengthen our teamwork. Through hardship, we can overcome prejudice and strengthen our teamwork.

Don’t confuse moral with theme. Moral You should be loyal to your teammates, even when it’s difficult. You should be loyal to your teammates, even when it’s difficult. Theme Loyalty is hard but can help us come together and respect each other. Loyalty is hard but can help us come together and respect each other. Loyalty and respect build strong teams. Loyalty and respect build strong teams.

Moral Don’t let hard times tear you apart. Don’t let hard times tear you apart. Theme In unity is strength. In unity is strength.

Moral Don’t make fun of something just because you can’t have it. Don’t make fun of something just because you can’t have it. Theme There are many who pretend to despise and belittle that which is beyond their reach. There are many who pretend to despise and belittle that which is beyond their reach.

So, the BIG IDEA is the THEME!!!! “Home is where the heart is.” “Regardless of the responsibility placed on us, we can find a way to rise to the task.” “Kindness can change a person’s life.” “People tend to judge others by their appearance.”