Determining Themes in Fiction
Determining Themes
and Central Ideas
Fiction and Nonfiction
Standard for Reading
Literature
2.
Determine
a
theme
or central idea of a
text and
analyze
its development over the
course of the text, including its relationship
to the
characters
,
setting
, and
plot
; provide
an objective
summary
of the text.
Determining Themes in Fiction
•
A theme is a message about or an insight into
life.
•
In other words, it is the main idea of a work of
fiction.
•
It is expressed in a statement, meaning a
complete sentence.
•
Themes are developed through characters—
their decisions, experiences, and insights.
2 Types of Themes
•
Stated themes
are
expressed directly in
the text by the writer.
•
Implied themes
are
revealed gradually
through elements
such as plot,
characters, setting,
point of view,
symbol, and irony.
Implied Themes
•
Implied themes are more frequent.
•
READERS must determine the theme
through examination of characters and
story patterns.
Example
Your Turn
•
For the following example passage,
determine the following information:
How is this a before-and-after story pattern?
Fill in the details that support the pattern.
What generalization can we make from this
pattern?
What then, is the implied theme of this text?
Before-and-After Pattern
A man went to a fancy party where he, along
with several other guests, was to be honored.
Dressed in ordinary clothes, the man was
overlooked—no host greeted him, no guests
chatted with him, no servants served him. The
man went home, put on his best clothes, and
returned to the party. Now the host introduced
himself and commanded the servers to bring food
to the man. When the man offered the food to his
dress coat, the host was puzzled. The man
explained that his clothes should have the food,
since the host was actually honoring them.
Example
Standard for Reading
Informational Text
2.
Determine
a
central idea
of a text and
analyze
its development over the course of
the text, including its relationship to
supporting ideas
; provide an objective
summary
of the text.
Determining Central Ideas in
Nonfiction
•
Nonfiction works develop central ideas through
the use of supporting details.
•
A central idea is a key point the author wants to
make.
•
All the details in the text develop and support
the central idea by:
•
Proving it
•
Explaining it
•
Illustrating it
•
Giving further details
Determining Central Ideas
•
In most cases, the
author directly states
the central idea near
the beginning of the
text.
•
In other cases, the
central idea is
implied by the points
the author makes.
•
We readers can infer
the central idea by
determining what
point all of the
details combine to
support.
The Role of the Paragraph
•
Each paragraph in
nonfiction develops
its own main idea.
•
This main idea is
used to support the
main idea of the
whole text.
•
The main idea of a
paragraph is often
stated in a topic
sentence.
•
The topic sentence is
then supported by
reasons, examples,
and other details in
the paragraph.
All details in each paragraph, as well as each
paragraph itself, serve the larger purpose of
developing the central idea of the whole work.
Central Idea
: Our town should
build a skate park for
skateboarders.
Central Idea
•
How a text’s central idea is developed is
directly related to the author’s purpose, or
reason for writing.
•
Example Purposes: To inform, to persuade,
to entertain
Rock climbing is dangerous.
Purpose
•
To
inform
•
To
persuade
•
To
entertain
Angle
Include facts about
accidents.
Add arguments about
the need for safety.
Include comical details
about a rock climbing
experience.
In summary:
•
We readers determine themes in fiction, central ideas in nonfiction.
•
Themes can be directly stated or implied through careful
examination of characters and story patterns.
•
Themes are expressed in a statement, or a complete sentence.
•
Central ideas are the main ideas identified and developed in
nonfiction.
•
Usually, central ideas are directly stated by the author at the
beginning of a text.
•
Each paragraph in a nonfiction text contains a central idea with
supporting details, and each paragraph serves to support the central
idea of the work as a whole.
•
An author’s purpose for writing determines how a central idea will
be developed.
•
Both themes and central ideas will be supported through details in
the text, and it is our job as readers to figure out what the
theme/idea is. It’s the “so what?” of our reading.
Themes in literature play a crucial role in conveying messages and insights about life. They can be stated directly or implied gradually through various elements like characters, plot, setting, and more. By analyzing before-and-after story patterns like in the example provided, readers can uncover implied themes that offer deeper meaning to the text.
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Presentation Transcript
Determining Themes and Central Ideas Fiction and Nonfiction
Standard for Reading Literature 2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
Determining Themes in Fiction A theme is a message about or an insight into life. In other words, it is the main idea of a work of fiction. It is expressed in a statement, meaning a complete sentence. Themes are developed through characters their decisions, experiences, and insights.
2 Types of Themes Stated themes are expressed directly in the text by the writer. Implied themes are revealed gradually through elements such as plot, characters, setting, point of view, symbol, and irony.
Implied Themes Implied themes are more frequent. READERS must determine the theme through examination of characters and story patterns.
Example Alex demands that Bob and Jake bully Ryan. Jake refuses. Bob bullies Ryan but feels bad afterward. Story Details Contrast: Jake stands up for what he believes; Bob does not. Before-and-After: Bob acts against his better judgment and feels terrible. Story Patterns People who act against their better judgment may feel bad afterward. Generalization from Pattern: Stay true to your own values. Implied Theme
Your Turn For the following example passage, determine the following information: How is this a before-and-after story pattern? Fill in the details that support the pattern. What generalization can we make from this pattern? What then, is the implied theme of this text?
Before-and-After Pattern A man went to a fancy party where he, along with several other guests, was to be honored. Dressed in ordinary clothes, the man was overlooked no host greeted him, no guests chatted with him, no servants served him. The man went home, put on his best clothes, and returned to the party. Now the host introduced himself and commanded the servers to bring food to the man. When the man offered the food to his dress coat, the host was puzzled. The man explained that his clothes should have the food, since the host was actually honoring them.
Example Before-and-After: Treatment of guest before and after his change of clothes. Story Pattern The host and servants respond to clothing. Generalization People should be judged by their characters, not their clothing. Implied Theme
Standard for Reading Informational Text 2. Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.
Determining Central Ideas in Nonfiction Nonfiction works develop central ideas through the use of supporting details. A central idea is a key point the author wants to make. All the details in the text develop and support the central idea by: Proving it Explaining it Illustrating it Giving further details
Determining Central Ideas In most cases, the author directly states the central idea near the beginning of the text. In other cases, the central idea is implied by the points the author makes. We readers can infer the central idea by determining what point all of the details combine to support.
The Role of the Paragraph Each paragraph in nonfiction develops its own main idea. This main idea is used to support the main idea of the whole text. The main idea of a paragraph is often stated in a topic sentence. The topic sentence is then supported by reasons, examples, and other details in the paragraph. All details in each paragraph, as well as each paragraph itself, serve the larger purpose of developing the central idea of the whole work.
Central Idea: Our town should build a skate park for skateboarders. Topic Sentence:A park would Topic Sentence:Skateboarders Topic Sentence:A park would keep skateboarders out of the street. would no longer damage public property, such as curbs. inspire skateboarders to take pride in our town.
Central Idea How a text s central idea is developed is directly related to the author s purpose, or reason for writing. Example Purposes: To inform, to persuade, to entertain
Rock climbing is dangerous. Purpose Angle To inform Include facts about accidents. Add arguments about the need for safety. To persuade Include comical details about a rock climbing experience. To entertain
In summary: We readers determine themes in fiction, central ideas in nonfiction. Themes can be directly stated or implied through careful examination of characters and story patterns. Themes are expressed in a statement, or a complete sentence. Central ideas are the main ideas identified and developed in nonfiction. Usually, central ideas are directly stated by the author at the beginning of a text. Each paragraph in a nonfiction text contains a central idea with supporting details, and each paragraph serves to support the central idea of the work as a whole. An author s purpose for writing determines how a central idea will be developed. Both themes and central ideas will be supported through details in the text, and it is our job as readers to figure out what the theme/idea is. It s the so what? of our reading.
