1. Elements of Fiction:
THEME

2. NOT A THEME! A dominant recurring idea
Motif:
NOT A THEME!
A dominant recurring idea
Examples: Love/hate, family, lifestyles, death/life, pain/happy

3. NOT A THEME! Well-known saying, used up…played out!
Cliche
NOT A THEME!
Well-known saying, used up…played out!
Examples: “Love conquers all,” “All is fair in love and war,” “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

4. NOT A THEME! Main message, specific to work, a Lesson
Moral
NOT A THEME!
Main message, specific to work, a Lesson
Example: (For Three little Pigs)the pig who works hardest will stay alive.

5. The author’s main message
THEME
The author’s main message
Example: (For Three Little PIGS) Preparation is necessary to accomplish goals.

6. Rules for finding a theme:
1. Start to finish in story

7. Rules for finding a theme:
2. Complete thought (a sentence)

8. Rules for finding a theme:
3. No “You’s” & No names (has to be general)

9. Rules for finding a theme:
4. Not preachy (avoid “Don’t” and “Do”)

10. Rules for finding a theme:
5. Universal (all can relate to/understand it)

11. Good things come to those who wait.
THEME
Decide if the following examples are a motif, theme, cliché, or moral. If it is not a theme, how could you make it one?
Good things come to those who wait.
Cliche

12. Positive events sometimes emerge from negative events.
THEME
Decide if the following examples are a motif, theme, cliché, or moral. If it is not a theme, how could you make it one?
Positive events sometimes emerge from negative events.
Theme

13. THEME
Decide if the following examples are a motif, theme, cliché, or moral. If it is not a theme, how could you make it one?
Love
Motif

14. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
THEME
Decide if the following examples are a motif, theme, cliché, or moral. If it is not a theme, how could you make it one?
Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Cliche

15. If you work hard, you will be rewarded.
THEME
Decide if the following examples are a motif, theme, cliché, or moral. If it is not a theme, how could you make it one?
If you work hard, you will be rewarded.
Moral

16. THEME
Decide if the following examples are a motif, theme, cliché, or moral. If it is not a theme, how could you make it one?
Do what it takes!
Moral

17. Friends and family together.
THEME
Decide if the following examples are a motif, theme, cliché, or moral. If it is not a theme, how could you make it one?
Friends and family together.
Motif

18. Power is what makes one crazy.
THEME
Decide if the following examples are a motif, theme, cliché, or moral. If it is not a theme, how could you make it one?
Power is what makes one crazy.
Theme

19. The struggle of Good versus evil.
THEME
Decide if the following examples are a motif, theme, cliché, or moral. If it is not a theme, how could you make it one?
The struggle of Good versus evil.
Motif