"THE MEssage."

About Theme 

• Theme is the life lesson of a story or the author’s message.
• The author will not tell readers what the theme or lesson of the story is.
• The theme will be a whole sentence. 
• The theme will NOT be a question.  It will state an opinion. 
• The theme will be written such a way that it can apply to many people in many places and situations. 
• There may be several themes in a long story or book. 

Sample:

Tim hated his old baseball glove. He wanted to play with a new glove, but he didn’t have any money, so he decided to steal it. But when Tim got caught stealing the glove, his parents said he couldn’t play baseball all summer.

Which is a theme from the story about Tim?

1. Tim shouldn’t steal.
2. If you want to play baseball, don't steal a glove.
3. If you want something, you should work for it.
4. Stealing a baseball glove.

Ask yourself: 

What is the theme?

What is the evidence that it is the theme?

One piece of evidence is not enough to prove a theme.

The more evidence you can find, the better, but just a few pieces of evidence can indicate a theme. 

How to find theme: 

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4qME64SkxM



What does the main character learn?
What is the main conflict?
Is there a trusted character who makes a wise statement?

Theme Practice

                                          It's   "THE MEssage."