1. Mini Lesson: Theme

2. Good reader can identify the THEME of a fictional story!

3. Literary Elements O Five elements found in all fictional text O Characters: Who O Setting: Where/When O Plot: How O Conflict: What O THEME: WHY?

4. Theme O A theme is… O The author’s central message or idea in a story O Expressed in a general STATEMENT O About human beings or about life

5. A theme is… A theme is NOT… O A message or idea O Stated in a sentence O Observation based on human nature O Found in all literary elements O Arguable O Implied O Applies to multiple text O EX: Hard work results in success O A moral O A lesson O Advice O A “you” statement O Fortune cookie message O One word O A summary O NON- Ex.: Slow and steady win the race

6. Have you read a book with one of these themes? O There is beauty in simplicity O Death in unavoidable O Loneliness is a destructive force O Knoweldge is power O Ignorance is weakness O Love is transformative O Realtionships are dependent on sacrfice

7. How to figure out the THEME of a fictional story… Start: What topic or big idea does the story deal with? What is the author saying about one of these topics? End: Put it into a THEME statement!

8. Example Start: What topic or big idea does the story deal with? What is the author saying about one of these topics? End: Put it into a THEME statement! Making smart choices The author shows that the planning and building a brick house was a smart choice. Theme: Careful planning leads to success

9. Example Start: What topic or big idea does the story deal with? What is the author saying about one of these topics? End: Put it into a THEME statement!

10. Example Start: What topic or big idea does the story deal with? What is the author saying about one of these topics? End: Put it into a THEME statement!

11. Big Ideas O Ambition O Jealousy O Beauty O Loneliness O Betrayal O Love O Courage O Loyalty O Duty O Perseverance O Fear O Prejudice O Freedom O Suffering O Happiness O Truth O Redemption

12. Still having trouble O Think about… O Symbols that reoccur O Patterns in the story O Details that stand out from the rest O The title

13. Possible theme statements for WONDER …to come!