1. Theme
RL02 Evaluate a theme of the text and analyze its development over the course of the text and write an objective summary

2. What is theme?
The theme of a literary text is the underlying idea or statement that the author is trying to convey.
Theme - A writer’s message.

3. Determine the theme
Remember that a theme is a STATEMENT. It will not be a one or two word phrase.
A good theme statement shows what lesson about life it is important to learn.

4. To develop a statement of the story’s theme consider:
The meaning of the story’s title
The way conflicts develop and are resolved
The way the main characters behave and change

5. Use this fill-in-the blank sentence for help:
The author suggests that when people (behave/think/feel like this), (this is the result).

6. Common Themes
The author suggests that citizens will suffer under a corrupt government.
The author suggests that conformity can stifle creativity.

7. What is an objective summary?
A statement that is not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice but one that is based on facts.

8. Fill-in-the-blank sentence
Somebody wanted…but…so…
Give a description of the “somebody” and identify the setting of the story

9. Sample
Marguerite, a shy, young girl from Stamps, Arkansas, wanted to go unnoticed, but Mrs. Flowers, a highly admired and respected woman in the community, invited her to her home and encouraged her to read aloud so she could become comfortable communicating with people.

10. Now write a theme for each of the following stories:
Mrs. Flowers
Tell Tale Heart
Too Soon A Woman