“TAP” Lesson
Lesson 1.02 What Is a Theme
Objectives (Learning Goals)
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
 Determine a theme or central idea of a text
 Analyze how a theme develops through characters, setting, and plot
 Identify TOPICS that determine themes
Watch this 4m Video on how to tell the difference between a TOPIC and a THEME:
http://safeshare.tv/w/FbgzXPlOes
Academic Vocabulary
Define the following terms using the glossary in the course or the movie you just watched.
- Theme
o Definition:
o Example:
- Plot
o Definition:
o Example:
- Topic
o Definition:
o Example:
Common Themes and Topics
On the chart below, cut and paste the words and phrases below into the correct column. You objective is to categorize
the options given below into common themes and topics.
Anyone can be
Bravery
Freedom takes
brave.
Friendship
Violence
We should not
The life lesson the
be late.
author teaches
sacrifice.
through the story
Love
Time travel
We should
help those who
Responsibility
Love conquers
It does not
A message about
all.
state the life
life.
are in need.
lesson,
whereas a
theme does.
*Cut and paste the words above into the correct column of the chart. Each word or phrase is either a TOPIC or a THEME.
TOPICS
THEMES
See how looking for a THEME helps you understand your reading and helps you read with a purpose:
http://viewpure.com/QcGGWfSJUm0
See if you can apply what you have learned. Read the following poem and correctly identify the THEME and TOPIC of the
story.
"Richard Cory"
*Adapted by Edwin Arlington Robinson, from Children of the Night, 1897
Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.
And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.
And he was rich--yes, richer than a king-And admirably schooled in every grace;
In fine we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.
So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and cried himself to bed.
Multiple-Choice Activity
In this lesson we’ve learned that we have to 1st identify the TOPIC before we can determine the THEME.
What is the topic of this poem?
Remember that a topic is one word or short phrase. It does not state the life lesson. Instead, the topic
must explain who or what the story was about.
1. What is the TOPIC of this poem?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Hard Work
Education
Money
Greed
2. What is the THEME of this story?
Remember that a theme is not one word. Instead, the theme must be a statement about the lesson the
author wanted you to learn.
A. Greedy people are very bad people
B. Money does not equal happiness.
C. Richard was rich, but not happy.
D. Money made Richard famous in the town.
Good Luck on the 1.02 Quiz!!!
Click HERE to view the ANSWERS to the activities on this page