The m e !!

How can we find

the theme of a
story?
SLIDESMANIA.COM
 Theme:
The underlying idea, meaning, or lesson
that an author is trying to convey using
characters, setting, dialogue, plot, or a
combination of all of these. The author
doesn’t just tell you what the theme is, it’s
something you have to think about.
SLIDESMANIA.COM
 What are some examples of themes?
● Slow and steady wins the race
Let’s Brainstorm... ●
●
Friendship
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover
● ...
SLIDESMANIA.COM
 How can we find the theme?
Understand the main character
● Who are they? What are their traits? What do they
want?
● Are they someone we should identify with or are they
someone we don’t want to be or want to avoid?
Identify the conflict
● What is the problem or situation that the main
character is in?
● Who or what is the character struggling with?

Know how the conflict is resolved

● This is a big clue! Who wins is sometimes how the
author tells us which side is better or what the best type
of solution is.
● What did the character learn in the conflict or main
event?
SLIDESMANIA.COM

Make a generalization
● What did the main character learn?
● How can we apply that lesson to everyone?
 ● What did the main character(s)
learn?
● How did the character(s) grow or
Key questions to change? How does their thinking
change?

ask yourself... ● Are there any patterns or symbols

you noticed?
● What choices did the character(s)
make? What was the result?
● What can you learn from the
character’s decisions?
● Would you do the same things/make
SLIDESMANIA.COM

the same decisions? Why or why

not?
 Let’s try an
example:

What is the theme of “Little Red

Riding Hood”?
SLIDESMANIA.COM
 Who’s the main What’s the conflict or
character? What are main event?
some of their traits?

Let’s go Generalize: The

theme is...

through
How is the conflict

the steps: resolved?

SLIDESMANIA.COM
 Now let’s try another
story together!
SLIDESMANIA.COM
 “Milo Imagines the World”
By Matt de la Peña
SLIDESMANIA.COM