Theme
What is a Big Idea?
The larger topics that a story is about (Ex: Friendship, Outsiders, Self-Acceptance, etc)
What are the 3 types of 3rd person point of views?
1. Omniscient
2. Limited
3. Objective
When a character has a conflict within themselves about making a decision, their feelings, or choosing between right or wrong, it is an _________ conflict.
Internal
Brian felt that Ms. Golding was much more unpleasant than usual and he suspected that she did not have her coffee this morning.
What does unpleasant mean?
Causing discomfort or unhappiness
What is tone?
The author's attitude towards a subject
Determine the theme of the following passage:
All Victor ever wanted to do with his life was be a singer. He didn't pay attention in school, and he spent all his time at home listening to music and impersonating his idols. His mother tried to teach him the value of getting an education and having a backup plan. But Victor would respond the same way every time, "Mom, I won't need to know any of that boring old stuff when I'm famous. You'll see." There was one major problem with Victor's plan: he wasn't any good at singing. Victor enjoyed singing so much that he didn't notice the pained look on the faces of those who endured his singing. Some lied to him and said they liked his singing. Other people told him to find something else to do with his life. Victor accused those people of being "jealous haters" and ignored their advice. Soon Victor dropped out of high school to focus on his music career. The years passed and the doors never opened.
Have a backup plan or Sometimes you should listen to other's advice
This point of view is when the narrator is a character in the story.
1st person pov
Who are what the main character is against is called the ___________.
Antagonist
The richest man in town was losing his hearing and he offered a large reward to anyone who could find a remedy for his condition.
What does remedy mean?
A cure or treatment
True or False:
An adjective is used to describe both tone and mood.
True
A theme WILL NOT include _________ or _____________.
Character names or specific events from the plot.
2nd person point of view usually gives ________.
Instructions or directions
When a character has a problem with an outside force, it is an _________ conflict (ex: man vs. man, man vs. society, etc)
External
After finding crumbs all over Fido's bed, Mom concluded that the dog had eaten the cookies.
What does concluded mean?
Make a judgement or come to an answer
Determine the mood:
The old rowboat squeaks and creaks could be heard clearly over the still water. Jae plopped the oars into the pond and rowed. The sounds were rhythmic. The birds in the woods chirped. Jae put the oars down and grabbed his fishing rod. He cast it near the shore and seemed pleased with his cast. He put his feet on the edge of the boat and his hands behind his head. He yawned and stretched, keeping an eye on the bobber. The bobber moved with the current of the water but was otherwise still. The breeze was gentle but refreshing. Jae took it in, breathing in deeply through his nose. "This is the life," he said to himself.
Soothing or Peaceful
Determine the theme of the following passage:
Ulysses spent all his free time reading books and felt that he was very intelligent. One day a nice student from his class asked him if he wanted to go sledding. Ulysses responded, "I've read about sledding in books, and it sounds miserable. No, thank you." On another day, a different friendly student asked Ulysses if he wanted to go out for hotdogs. Ulysses responded, "I've read that hotdogs are filled with rat parts and pig bellies. No, thank you." Nobody asked Ulysses to hang out again, but he did read about friends in his books.
Learning from books is no comparison to real life experiences
When the narrator does not know any of the characters' thoughts or feelings it is written in _________.
3rd person objective
Determine the type of conflict:
After breaking his mother's favorite vase, Casey struggles to decide whether he should tell his mother the truth or attempt to hide his mistake and blame the family dog.
Internal (Man vs. Self)
My father and Mr. McClure, our neighbor, have had a dispute as to the property line separating our two houses ever since Mr. McClure planned to build a fence
Disagreement or Argument
___________ is heavily influenced by the setting
Mood
What are the 3 steps to determining a theme?
1. Review Key Details
2. Identify Big Ideas
3. Write the Theme Statement
Determine the Point of View:
The dog slobbered his huge tongue up Alice's face, leaving behind a sticky trail. "Yuck!" Alice shouted while wiping the slobber from off of her brow. Alice didn't like the dog that her parents got her. She had wanted a cute little dog that could sit in her lap and wear tiny sweaters, not a great big hound that knocked over her dolls with its tail and left drool puddles everywhere. "Go away!" Alice shouted at the great hulking beast. If the dog understood what she was saying, he didn't seem to show it.
3rd person limited
Determine the type of conflict:
Angela is having the time of her life on a cruise ship with food and fun all around her. Just as she is preparing for the limbo competition, the ship crashes into an iceberg, which punctures the hull and causes the ship to sink. Now she and a group of strangers must fight for survival on a life raft deep in the ice-cold ocean waters with limited supplies.
External (Man vs. Nature)
Bobby thought that Clyde's theories about their substitute teacher being an alien were absurd.
What does absurd mean?
Wildly unreasonable or crazy
Determine the tone:
"I am so proud to say farewell to... our graduating class!" Principal Bubbletop said triumphantly. The students threw their hats high in the air and cheered. The marching band began to play a classic graduation song. The parents and spectators all stood and clapped loudly. Some whistled. Parents ran forward and presented their matriculating children with flowers, candies, and really tight hugs.
Ecstatic or Proud