In one word, what is a theme?
Theme is a central idea in a story or piece of literature. It is the message the author is trying to communicate to the reader. You can identify the theme by looking for repeated patterns and analyzing characters' actions.
Understanding Theme
Theme is the message of a work of literature, stated as a general statement about life. A motif is an element of a story that recurs in different forms throughout the work. A symbol is an object, character, figure, or color used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
Concepts:
What are some examples of common themes in literature?
What is the difference between a theme and a main idea?
What is the theme of the story, and how does the author convey this theme throughout the narrative?
What should you look for in a text to see the theme develop/grow?
What do you think is the most important element in a piece of literature? How does it relate to the theme?