Subject: What is your novel generally about? This is your subject.
Theme: What does your novel say about your subject? This is your theme.
Finding a Theme in Two Steps
1. When you finish reading a book, sum up the book in a single word. For example, a single word for the play Macbeth could be ambition. Ambition is one subject of the book.
2. Next, stretch that single word into a message: “ambition can lead to one's downfall.” This is one of many possible themes for Macbeth.
A novel's theme can also be interpreted as its “thesis”. The author picks a subject, and explains and explores it throughout the novel, prompting the reader to think about the subject and develop a greater understanding of the subject.
Theme Chart
Working as a table group, decide on your novel's subject, then come up with your novel's theme.
Work on theme charts as a group, connecting specific plot, character, and setting evidence from your text to your chosen theme. A smart way to tackle this activity is to have each group member concentrate on one aspect of the grid, sharing information as you go along.
How is theme presented through character?
How is theme presented through setting?
How is theme presented through plot?
Why is it important that theme connects to character, setting, and plot? How does this happen?
How is your theme connected to power and authority? What connections do you see between power/authority and Character? Setting? Plot?
Visual Summative - Collage
Select 8 quotations from your novel which connect to unit Essential Questions, and create a collage illustrating those quotations. Provide a short written explanation (one or two sentences for each quotation) describing how each quotation connects with an Essential Question. This Assignment is due on February 21st.
Must-Haves:
Name, Block, Date.
8 Quotations
Collage illustrating quotations
Written Explanation
| Criteria | Level 4 EE | Level 3 FM | Level 2 M-MM | Level 1 NY |
| Context and Explanation of Choice | Context and explanation of choice (connection to EQs) are convincing, relevant, and have depth/insight. | Context and explanation of choice (connection to EQs) are convincing and relevant most of the time. | Context and explanation (connection to EQs) are convincing and relevant some of the time. | Context and explanation (connection to EQs) are rarely convincing and relevant. |
| Visual Appeal | The collage is neat, cohesive, visually appealing, and suggests a very high level of effort and consideration. | The collage is neat, appealing, and suggests a high level of effort and consideration. | The collage is complete, and suggests a moderate level of effort and consideration. | The collage is complete, but suggests a low level of effort and consideration. |
| Language Conventions | Applies grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation with a high degree of accuracy and effectiveness. | Applies grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation with a considerable accuracy and effectiveness. | Applies grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation with some accuracy and effectiveness. | Applies grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation with limited accuracy and effectiveness. |
Homework: Complete the Theme Foursquare with at least two quotations for each field.
