What’s the BIG IDEA?

What’s the BIG IDEA? “There’s no place like home.” “Slow and steady wins the race.” Do these messages sound familiar?

Theme • The theme is the message the author is sending you through the events of the story. • The message • The meaning

What is the difference between topic and theme? A theme is a message about life that a writer wants you to understand. A topic can be summed up in a word or two: “taking risks.” A theme, however, is a writer’s message about that topic: “Life’s biggest rewards come from taking risks.”

“The Young Crab and His Mother” (An Aesop Fable)

“Why in the world do youwalk sideways like that?” said a mother crab to her son. “You should always walk straight forward with your toes turned out.”“Show me how to walk, mother dear,” answered the little crab obediently, “I want to learn.”

So the old crab tried and tried to walk straight forward.

But she could walk sideways only, like her son. And when she wanted to turn her toes out, she tripped and fell on her nose. What is the theme, the meaning, the message? Do not tell others how to act unless you can set a good example.

“Thank you, M’am” by Langston Huges Topic: Second chances Themes: Everyone deserves a second chance. An act of kindness can make a difference in a person’s life.

Clues to Theme • The title may reflect a story’s topic, its theme, or both. • Ask: “What does each word in the title mean?” “What ideas does the title emphasize?”

Clues to Theme • A story’s plot often revolves around a conflict that is important to the theme. • Ask: “What conflicts do the character’s face?” “How are the conflicts resolved?” “Did the main character succeed or fail to resolve the conflict?” “Did the main character learn something?”

Clues to Theme What characters do and learn can reflect a theme. • Ask: “What are the main characters like?” “How do the characers respond to the conflicts?” “How do the characters change?” “What lessons do the characters learn?”

A setting can suggest a theme because of what it means to the characers. Ask: “How does the setting influence the characters?” “How does the setting affect the conflicts?” “What might the setting represent?” (Rainy night? Child’s bedroom? Mountain wilderness? 1920’s?) Clues to Theme

Let’s look at a few more Aesop’s fables: • “The Wolf and the Kid” • “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse” • “The Goadherd and the Wild Goats”

Universally True Thematic Statements • Universally - Globally • True – True of mankind, regardless of country or culture • Thematic – characteristic about people’s tendency to act, think, or behave a certain way • Statements – Declarative sentence

So, the BIG IDEA is the THEME!!!! Home is where the heart is. Regardless of the responsibility placed on you, you must rise to the task. Kindness can change a person’s life. People tend to judge others by their appearance.

What’s the BIG IDEA?