1. The Elements of Fiction
Theme vs Topic
The Elements of Fiction

2. Summary
A series of sentences describing the main ideas of the story; what happened in the story. Example: Cinderella Cinderella’s mother dies and her father remarries. Shortly after, her father died as well. Cinderella’s step-mother didn’t like her and made her work as a servant in the household. One day, the family was invited to a royal ball. The step-mother said Cinderella could go to the ball if all her work was finished. Cinderella’s fairy godmother appeared and help her make it to the ball. She danced with the prince and he fell in love with her. At midnight, she left the ball but left behind a glass slipper. The prince found it and used it to identify Cinderella later. After he found her, they lived happily ever after.

3. The TOPIC or Big Idea
A single word that the ENTIRE text is about; the main subject of a text. Examples: Friends Religion Happiness Life and Death Family Government Honor Liberty Love Courage Education War and Peace

4. Theme
A complete sentence that describes the life lesson about the topic that can be identified from reading the text.
Example: Possible Themes from Cinderella
With hard work and determination, you can achieve your dreams.
You can rise above any situation.
If you treat others with kindness, they will most likely treat you kindly in return.

5. Common Big Ideas
What’s a theme you could write about on the topics below?
Friends
Love
Happiness
Family

6. Determining the Theme Takes WORK!!!
How does a reader go about identifying the theme of a text?

7. Steps to Identifying Theme
Summarize the plot of the story.
Identify the topic.
Answer the following question in a complete sentence: “What life lesson can be learned about ________ [topic]____?”
Congratulations! You’ve identified a theme!

8. Other elements to consider when trying to identify a theme.…

9. The Title
Often, but not always, writers use titles to hint at the story’s theme.
Consider what the title suggests.
Why do you think the writer chose this title?

10. The Characters Examine the characters of the story!
How do the main characters change over the course of the story?
What do they learn or discover that could have meaning for other people’s lives— including your own?

11. The Big Moments
Which scenes or passages in the story seem especially important?
What revelations about life do they suggest to you?
What can you learn from those important scenes?

12. The Resolution How are the major conflicts in the story settled?
How do you feel about the outcome?
Does the resolution give you an idea of what the story means?

13. Practicing Identifying Theme
Read short stories, fables, fairy tales, etc. and practice identifying the theme!