9/28/2016 Advanced ELA

Agenda!

Learning Target: I can recognize theme

when I read.
1) Brain Buzzer: None. Just open novel to page
338.
2) Review homework reading (pages 326 - 337)
3) Read: pages 338 358 (end)
4) Work on i-assignment project

Theme: The message the author

is trying to tell you. It is usually a
statement about life or the world
around you.

Hint to remember: It THEMES to

me that the author wants me to
know that

Remember the story we read called

Cemetery Path? It was about Ivan
who stabbed his own sword through
his coat after making a bet with the
mean lieutenant.
What would a theme of that story be?
Think about the events and make a
statement about something the
author might what you to know or
learn.
It themes to me that the author wants
me to know that
You shouldnt let yourself be talked
into doing something you dont
want to do.

 Being afraid of things can lead to

trouble.
Cold weather is dangerous.
The lieutenant was cruel.
Themes are NOT about specific
characters necessarily.
Examples:
Prince Humperdinck is evil.
Buttercup loves Westley.

***A theme would NOT be about a specific character

by name.
***HOWEVER, the author does use specific
characters to help us realize something more general
about life or people in general.

Examples:
Evil people cause trouble for many people.

 The bond of love between two people can be

unbreakable.

Themes are different than main ideas.

Themes are NOT one word

answers. They are statements.
Examples:
Love
Determination

***The idea of love is indeed scattered throughout

the entire novel. So is the idea of many characters
determination.
***But remember, that themes are statements. Take
the word love or determination and turn them
into statements about life or the world around you.

Examples:
Love can overcome anything OR Love can be
powerful.
Determination can help you overcome many

obstacles.

When deciding about a theme, ask yourself if it

makes sense that the author wrote the book for that
particular reason.

Ex: It THEMES to me that the author wants me to

know that Prince Humperdinck is evil.

Does that make sense? Is that why the author would

spend hours upon hours writing the book? Probably
not.

Ex: It THEMES to me that the author wants me to

know thatlove.

Does that make sense? Nope.