This document discusses how to identify themes in literature. It defines a theme as a universal idea or lesson presented throughout a work, not just its main idea. Some common themes mentioned include friendship, love, and adversity leading to triumph. The document instructs readers to look for recurring ideas and ask what the author wants them to think about after finishing. When answering questions about a work's theme, students should provide examples from the text alongside analysis of how those examples illustrate the theme.

1. Campbell High School
Summer Reading
Podcast #3-
Theme

2. Theme
Question #1- Theme
• What is a theme?
• A theme is more than
the main idea. It is a
common thread or
universal notion
presented throughout
the text.
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3. Theme
Common Themes in
Literature
 Sacrifices bring reward
 All human beings have
the same needs.
 Friendship makes life
more meaningful.
 Loneliness leads people
to seek companionship.
 The strong often prey
on the weak.
 Love is the worthiest of
pursuits.
 Death is a part of the
life cycle.
 The pressures of society
may not align with what
makes you happy.
 Adversity can lead to
triumph.

4. Theme
How to read for theme-
• Notice that themes are
detailed, not one word
like “love.”
• The author intends for
the reader to take away
a big idea from the
reading of the book.
• Themes are often
complex life lessons.

5. Theme
How to read for theme-
• Ask yourself … “What
does the author want
me to think about after
I finish the book?”
• The theme isn’t overtly
stated, you have to infer
what the author wants
you to know from the
whole reading
experience.

6. Theme
How to read for theme-
• Brainstorm a list of
themes as they appear
in the book.
• If you see a pattern, for
example, the same
theme reoccurring
throughout the
book, then this is an
important theme.

7. Theme
How to read for theme-
• You can complete
question #1 two ways.
– Select one theme and
find three specific
examples of the theme
demonstrated in your
book.
– Select three themes and
find one example of
each theme
demonstrated in your
book.

8. Theme
How to read for theme-
• Your answer should
look like this:
– Theme
– Specific example from
the book that shows the
theme. Cite the page
number or chapter.
– Write a detailed analysis
of how this example
supports the theme.

9. Theme
How to read for theme-
• Your answer should
look like this:
– One or two paragraphs
per example.
– At least three paragraphs
or more for a
complete, appropriate
response to earn all the
points on this section of
the rubric.

10. Theme
Common Themes in
Literature and Non Fiction
 Sacrifices bring reward
 All human beings have
the same needs.
 Friendship makes life
more meaningful.
 Loneliness leads people
to seek companionship.
 The strong often prey on
the weak.
 Love is the worthiest of
pursuits.
 Death is a part of the life
cycle.
 The pressures of society
may not align with what
makes you happy.
 Adversity can lead to
triumph.

11. Theme
How to read for theme-
 The strong often prey
on the weak.
 Adversity can lead to
triumph.
 Talking to strangers is
dangerous.
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12. Theme
Example:
One theme of “Little Red Riding Hood” is that talking
to strangers is dangerous. Little Red Riding Hood spoke to
the wolf, who was in disguise. She gave out personal
information like where her grandmother lived and what
treats her grandmother was preparing for her to eat
(Chapter 1). Small children are often naïve when it comes
to dangerous situations. The author wants readers to
understand the fear and terror that Little Red Riding
Hood experienced so children reading the story will learn
the lesson of caution and awareness.

13. Theme
Example:
One theme of “Little Red Riding Hood” is that talking
to strangers is dangerous. Little Red Riding Hood spoke to
the wolf, who was in disguise. She gave out personal
information like where her grandmother lived and what
treats her mother sent in the basket for her grandmother
to eat (Chapter 1). Small children are often naïve when it
comes to dangerous situations. The author wants readers
to understand the fear and terror that Little Red Riding
Hood experienced so children reading the story will learn
the lesson of caution and awareness.

14. Theme
Example:
One theme of “Little Red Riding Hood” is that talking
to strangers is dangerous. Little Red Riding Hood spoke to
the wolf, who was in disguise. She gave out personal
information like where her grandmother lived and what
treats her grandmother was preparing for her to eat
(Chapter 1). Small children are often naïve when it comes
to dangerous situations. The author wants readers to
understand the fear and terror that Little Red Riding
Hood experienced so children reading the story will learn
the lesson of caution and awareness.

15. Rubric
Task Points
1. Theme 20
2. For fiction, analyze two
characters. For nonfiction, analyze
two events or situations.
10
3. Quotations 10
4. In-class Essay- Will be
administered the week of August
26-29, 2013 for Fall and the week of
January 27-31, 2014 for Spring.
*
40 Points Total
(A separate grade will be given for
the in-class essay)