1. Literary Elements
Theme

2. Definition--Theme The underlying meaning of a story
The message the author is trying to convey to the reader through the story
A broad message about life
There can be more than 1 theme in a story
An author writes a story with the purpose of presenting this message in an entertaining manner

3. Identifying Theme Consider the following questions:
What is the problem?
Why does the problem occur?
How does the character confront the problem?
How does it turn out in the end?
Why does it turn out that way?
What is to be learned from the way the character dealt with the problem and the way it turned out?

4. Identifying Theme Consider the topic:
What seems to be the topic of the message?
Is there more than one topic?
If so, how do the topics connect?
What does the writer seem to be saying about the topic(s)?

5. Final Word about Theme
In order to understand and appreciate a writer’s story, it is necessary to understand the message behind the story.