Thursday, December 5, 2013

Theme


Theme Notes
  • Theme is the central idea or meaning of a story.
  • Determining the theme requires a close analysis of all the elements of a work.
  • Themes aren't easy to express, but they help to bring the story together
  • Theme must be based on evidence within the story rather than solely on experiences, attitudes, or values the reader brings to the work
  • Many stories go beyond traditional moral values to explore human behavior instead of condemning/endorsing it
    • Pay attention to the title
    • Look for details in the story that have potential for symbolic meaning
    • Decide whether the protagonist changes or develops some important insight as a result of the action
    • When you formulate the theme of the story in your own words, write it down in one or two complete sentences
    • Be certain that your expression of the theme is a generalized statement rather than a specific description
    • Be wary of using cliches as a way of stating theme
    • Be aware that some stories emphasize theme less than others
  • The theme is expressed by the story itself

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