Authors write to share characters and their stories, but they also use those stories to communicate an idea or message. They want us to learn something from having read their work. When we talk about literature, we call the central idea or message the theme, and there can be more than one of them in a story. English teachers like to talk about theme because we are all about the meaning behind the text. Personally, I call it the nugget of goodness. If you boiled down the character’s experiences and the conflict and the resolution, what does the author want you to take away from having read this story? That’s the nugget of goodness, the theme. Watch the video below to learn more about theme.

via ytCropper

Let’s break down some of that information.

What a Theme Is and Is Not

A theme is:

• written as a complete sentence with a subject and a verb; it forms a complete thought.
• true for everyone no matter their age, race, etc.

A theme is not:

• written with character names or plot details.
• vague or cliche (an overused expression like love conquers all).

How to Find the Theme

You can find the theme of a story by examining what happens to the protagonist. Consider what he/she learned and how he/she changed throughout the story. Also, think about the conflict. What are the opposing forces (good vs. evil)? Who wins in the end and why? Considering these questions should help you come up with a theme or at least a lit of topics from which you can write a theme statement.

Writing a Theme Statement

1. Make a list of topics the author has written about in the story (or poem).
2. Write a sentence that starts with: The author believes that…(this will help focus your theme).
3. After completing the sentence, cross out The author believes that. The rest of the sentence is your theme statement.

Example

Think about the story of Cinderella. Consider all the thing she went through and create a list of topics from the story.

• friendship
• family
• loyalty
• duty
• forgiveness
• love

Next write a sentence about what the author thinks about that topic given what happened in the story.

• The author believes that loyalty is not always rewarded with love.

Then cross out The author believes that, and you are left with a theme statement

Loyalty is not always rewarded with love.

We can support this theme statement with text evidence. Cinderella worked for her stepmother and stepsisters faithfully for years without complaint. She was loyal to them and didn’t leave, but they never loved her and did everything they could to step in the way of her happiness.

We are going to take your new, profound knowledge of theme and apply it to Refugee by creating visual theme statements!