Theme Basics
Theme is the message about life or human nature that is hidden in the story an
author tells.
 Theme is bigger than just these characters and this story.
 Theme and subject are NOT the same thing.
 A theme can be taken outside of the literature and applied to the real world we live
in.
 Literary works may contain many themes. But, remember: you MUST be able to
support your choice of theme with evidence from the text!
 Readers construct themes based on their own experience and on how the author
wrote the story.
Ways to locate the theme:
1. Look for changes in the main character.
2. Watch for clear statements of theme-what does the author write or say that
stands out as part of the story?
3. Examine the title. Sometimes it will contain clues to the theme.
4. Look at the main conflict. What is the protagonist’s major struggle or conflict?
What message is sent from the way it is resolved or by how he/she reacts to it?
5. What “BIG IDEAS” or “BIG SUBJECTS” does the story seem to be about?
6. Pivotal Moments: what are the significant moments in the story?
Prompts to capture your thinking about theme:
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I think the author is saying…
The character teaches/shows readers…
The story or scene really got me thinking about…
The biggest problem the character faced was…
The way the character solved/reacted to the problem shows me that…
Literary Essay Inventory
7th Grade
Thank You M’am
War of the Wall
Scholarship Jacket
Homeless
Eleven
After 20 Years
Names/Nombres
A Christmas Carol
Dirk the Protector
Popular
Mystery Novel
Freak the Mighty
Seedfolks*
8th Grade
Popular
Monkey’s Paw
The Babysitter
The Lottery
The Tell Tale Heart
The Gift of the Magi
Chains
Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Nothing But the Truth*