THEME INTRO

THEME INTRO
Directions: Use our process for identifying and writing theme statements for
each of the texts below. Remember: If the question or prompt doesn’t help
you find the theme statement, skip it!

Text #1:

Step 1: Identify the topic. (Courage, Friendship, etc.)

loss of friendship

Step 2: Ask yourself these questions.

● How does the main character grow? What do they learn?
The main character learns that… he was too involved with his game that he
became so distant from his friends and ignoring them that by the end of
summer he didn’t have friends anymore because he was too competitive.
 ● How does the conflict resolve? How does the story end?
The story ends with… Michael not having any friends anymore and being
lonely and not having fun.

● What does the story teach you about the topic or about life in general?
The story teaches that… you should never get too involved with things that
don’t have an impact on your real life and takes away your friends or you
having a lot of fun.

Step 3: Turn the answers into a sentence that sums up the universal statement
about life that the text is making.
Theme Statement(s): Don’t get too involved with things that you end up losing
your friends and your life.

Text #2:
Step 1: Identify the topic. (Think single words like Courage, Friendship, etc.)
Courage

Step 2: Ask yourself these questions.

● How does the main character grow? What do they learn?
The main character learns that… she should have told the coach what she
was going through to begin with.

● How does the conflict resolve? How does the story end?
The story ends with… Kayla going to the coach and explaining why she
didn’t do so good and the coach decided to give her a chance for the first
practice.

● What does the story teach you about the topic or about life in general?
The story teaches that… you should always be aware of what is wrong with
you and try to tell someone before it actually affects you and your
performance.

Step 3: Turn the answers into a sentence that sums up the universal statement
about life that the text is making.
Theme Statement(s): Always tell someone and explain your problems so you can
get better.

Text #3:
Step 1: Identify the topic. (Think single words like Courage, Friendship, etc.)
hardwork

Step 2: Ask yourself these questions.

● How does the main character grow? What do they learn?
The main character learns that… getting straight to the job instead of
getting ideas is better because you get things done quicker.

● How does the conflict resolve? How does the story end?
 The story ends with… Carolyn getting paid a lot more than her sister
because she didn’t do anything that she wasn’t supposed to and didn’t get
sidetracked.

● What does the story teach you about the topic or about life in general?
The story teaches that… doing the job you were asked to do and nothing
else is better than doing extra things.

Step 3: Turn the answers into a sentence that sums up the universal statement
about life that the text is making.
Theme Statement(s): Don’t get sidetracked by doing extra things that aren’t
necessary.