Finding the Theme PowerQuest

PowerQuest Directions You and your partner will go through this PowerPoint slide by slide. One partner will read a slide aloud; the partner who is listening should then paraphrase that information aloud. When you see a star ( ) that means there is an activity on that slide that you and your partner must complete; your activity may be a discussion or some type of note-taking.

Theme Defined A common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work. A Universal truth. A theme is a thought or idea the author presents to the reader and is a general statement about life or humanity.

It is the reader’s job to… The author will never say, “Hey reader, this is what I want you to know!” It is the reader’s job to… Draw Conclusions! Interpret! Make Inferences!

Process for Finding a Theme With your partner, use this slide to create a T-Chart in your binder in which you include the questions to ask when finding a theme and possible sentence starters. What is the topic of the work? The “big idea” is… What do the characters do or say? The plot is… The dialogue indicates… What do those actions and words mean? My interpretation of those actions and words is…

Finding the “Big Idea” Themes are usually about big ideas like friendship, integrity, love, freedom, trust, good vs. evil, etc… With your partner, create a list of at least 10 “big ideas” that stories may be focused around.

Finding the “Big Idea” Clues for finding the “big idea” can often be found in the title, the first paragraph, or the last paragraph. With your partner, read the title, first paragraph, and last paragraph provided. Identify a possible “big idea.” Follow the Trail Far into the distance and to the very edge of the horizon was a path cut out by wagon wheels. If you followed that path, you would find a land of gold and opportunity. This path was hard to travel and had many obstacles along the way. My travels finally led me to my destination. Here I can start a new life with my family. There will be no more dust, no more danger, and no more aching muscles. I can finally rest my head. Title 1st Paragraph Last Paragraph

Relate the Character’s Actions and Speech to the “Big Idea” With your partner, discuss how each of the following quotes may relate to the big idea you chose. “We have passed the halfway mark. Soon we will arrive at our new home,” father patiently explained. “Will we have anyone to play with?” Amy asked hopefully. “Yes, now climb back into the wagon and get ready to leave. We have many more miles to travel today.” Father took the horses reins into his hands and clicked his tongue to make the horses begin walking. The wagon moved slowly along the bumpy, dirt path.

Identify the Theme… With your partner, look over the following notes, and then identify a possible theme for the work Follow the Trail. Notes on theme… notes on the story… The theme is not the big idea of the work but a statement the author is making about that big idea It is a general statement about life or humanity. It is not specific to the text. The characters are taking a journey The journey is difficult The traveler will arrive at a destination with opportunities.

The Theme! What do those things mean? Possibly: Even if a journey is difficult, there are often rewards when you meet your destination. Copy this example theme into your binder.

Practice! With your partner, skim and scan the Langston Hughes short story Thank You M’am that we read a few weeks ago. Highlight any parts of the text that may help you identify the “big idea.”