BTEOC, SWBAT define theme, identify the theme of a particular selection, and use evidence to support his/her claim, ADB score of 2+ on OER.

October 15, 2013Theme activity

SSR Time with focus on theme! http://patriciaansley.wordpress.com

Theme

Themes in the Literature world

Often, when we read a story, we are able to see some universal truth about the around us. Sometimes, this takes the form of a moral, or lesson (e.g. “Taking the easy way out will cost you in the long run”). Other times, though, this observation is merely a statement about the way things are (e.g. “People often fear those different from themselves”).

In literature, this statement is considered a theme. As readers, we must remember that themes are not intended to be story-specific. Instead, they are statements that can transfer to other stories that make similar observations. They can even stand on their own.

For a statement to be considered a theme, it must meet the following criteria:

The phrasing of theme must contain abstract or conceptual words, words that make value judgments.A theme must be a statement, not a single word.

A theme may address a central concept, but it must address that concept in a particular manner.A theme must be universal in scope. That is, the statement must apply to more than one situation or story. It may not contain references to specific characters, settings, events, etc.Positive or negative, a theme must provide insight into our existence as human beings.

What is an ABSTRACT or CONCEPTUAL word?

An abstract or conceptual word is a word that captures a belief, idea, or issue that is not concrete (identified by the senses). The chart (on the next slide) contains many examples of such words.

Abstract/Conceptual words

Get out your cell phone!http://www.polleverywhere.com/my/polls#!/my/polls

Exercise One (with a partner or individually)

Refer to the chart of abstract words above. Then, examine the statements below for abstract or conceptual words. Underline each example of an abstract or conceptual word. Finally, use the criteria from page one to decide whether or not each statement can be considered a theme. CIRCLE the # of each sentence that contains a TRUE theme statement. For those statements that are INCORRECT, re-write the statement so that it follows the criteria for theme.Once you’re finished we will go over the answers we came up with

Scavenger Hunt Walk around the classroom and talk to your classmates about the following themes and write down the title to their most recent reading (either short story or novel) in the space provided. Be sure they provide evidence and reason for why the theme reflects their short story or novel. One theme may work for multiple texts.

Work Individually

* Add SSR log to folder

* Use post-its to find theme elements – be prepared

for an assessment over theme!