UNDERSTANDING THEME

Theme is the message that the author wants you learn about life. It is not the topic of the piece. Topics are expressed in one word, but themes are expressed in sentences.

The topic of an article on sharks would be sharks. The theme might be that sharks have more to fear from humans than we have to fear from them.

Theme is a general statement and can be applied to many pieces of text. Topics are more specific and focused.

The objective for any lesson on this standard is that the student will identify theme in a piece of literature or poem.

In Amigo Brothers by Piri Thomas, the topic is friendship. The theme is that competition should not come between friends.

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