1. Theme Add ‘theme’ to the table of contents in your reader/writer’s handbook Take notes on Yellow Text

2. Theme… Definition: Theme is a message about an idea in a story. You usually have to make an inference to figure out what the theme is. Major Theme: The most important theme in the story. (Usually relates to main conflict somehow). Minor Themes: Small statements made about ideas in a story. (Usually relates to parts of the rising action)

3. How to figure out the theme statement… 1.Decide on a big idea in the story. Try to use one or two words. Examples: Love, war, hate, greed, etc. 2.Decide what the story says to us as readers/viewers about this big idea. (This is the theme statement). Examples: Love is blind, forgiveness is the only answer, revenge is sweet, humans are loyal, good will always win over evil, etc. 3.Find text evidence to support your answer

4. Theme Words (Abstract Nouns) Imagination, violence, anger, war, health, hate, crime, depression, happiness, mental instability, positivity, love, negativity, poverty, wealth, intelligence, sadness, terrorism, prejudice, pride, racism, sexism, homophobia, ethnicity, fear, redemption, justice, law, lust, peace, greed, terror, want, need, horror, excitement, confidence, surprise, defeat, victory, death, life, self-confidence, hierarchy, motivation, freedom, liberty, self-pity, discourage, courage, bravery, honor, philanthropy, charity, dominance, revolution, independence, discovery, conservatism, frugality, narcissism, religion, prosperity, sexuality, rejection, dishonor, exceptionality

5. Theme Words (Abstract Nouns) Love, war, hate, greed, revenge, peace, envy, rage, fury, fear, excitement, pride, cuteness, lust, gluttony, joy, bluntness, wrath, pity, stubbornness, arrogance, agony, sadness, annoyance, happiness, curiosity, aggressiveness, sloth, crappiness, sloppiness, pain, cleanliness, stupidity, dirtiness, suffering, sympathy, idiotocracy, doubt, mercy, energy, trust, reincarnation, intelligence, irritability, ugliness, beauty, attraction, power, detraction, hyperactivity, flirtiness, weakness, charisma, Christianity, religion, talk, communication, honesty, dishonesty, hope, loneliness, racism, prejudice, homophobia, ethnicity, mental disorder, sexism, cruelty, darkness, belief, mutation, zombieism, insanity, phobia, rancidness, schizophrenia, paranormalcy

6. Theme Words (Abstract Nouns) Love, hate, war, greed, empathy, time, happiness, sports, jealousy, anger, sadness, boredom, space, rage, attraction, depression, stupidity, crime, revenge, racism, failure, justice, ideas, anxiety, race, righteousness, freedom, conflict, luck, language, health, religion, skill, idiocy, popularity, worldliness, music, enlightenment, speech, safety, culture, fear, death, cruelty, kindness, gravity, sarcasm, integrity, truth, dishnoesty

7. Theme Assignment—Separate Sheet of Paper Get a separate sheet of paper out. Title it: ‘Theme Practice Assignment.’ Follow my example on the document camera in one minute to set up your page.

8. Theme Assignment Example Example: Max at Sea – Theme Word: Imagination – Theme Statement: Imagination is an important way children deal with a lack of power in the world. Evidence #1: Max felt powerless at home. He couldn’t change his negative situation at home (Gary, sister, pate). Evidence #2: Max used his wolf costume as a way of jump starting his imagination. He imagined he was more powerful than everyone else. Evidence #3: When he imagined he was on the island with the wild things, he experienced power over the most powerful things he could imagine.

9. Theme Assignment Format 1.Name of Book/Movie: – Theme Word: – Theme Statement: Evidence #1: Evidence #2: Evidence #3: 2.Name of Book/Movie: – Theme Word: – Theme Statement: Evidence #1: Evidence #2: Evidence #3: 3.Name of Book/Movie: – Theme Word: – Theme Statement: Evidence #1: Evidence #2: Evidence #3: