Name: _______________________________________________________ Per: __________ Date: ____________

Writing Task Theme

In literature, theme is the central message of the text. It is a message that the author wanted to
impart on his/her audience. The theme is usually developed through the characters’ actions and
dialogue. Sometimes the theme is explicitly stated, but in most cases, the theme is revealed
gradually in the text.

Determine the theme of (or one of the themes of) the novel, and write a detailed, one-paragraph
response that briefly summarizes the plot and identifies and analyzes the theme.
Paragraph Title
Paragraph Elements Paragraph Brainstorming Notes
1. Topic  sentence:  What  is  this  paragraph 1. Topic  Sentence:  ______________________________________  
about?  (genre,  (tle,  author,) _____________________________________________________
2. Summary:  Keep  the  summary  brief  and 2. Summary:  _________________________________________  
concise.  This  should  be  3-­‐4  sentences. _____________________________________________________
Effec@ve  summaries  do  not  contain  any   _____________________________________________________
opinion.   _____________________________________________________
3. Iden7fy  the  theme:  State  what  the  theme   3.  Iden7fy  the  theme:  ___________________________________  
of  this  novel  is.   _____________________________________________________  
4. Cite  textual  evidence:  Provide  a  quote  that   4.  Cite  textual  evidence:  For  example,  (explain  what  is  happening  
illustrates  the  theme  and  cite  it  in  MLA   in  the  story  before  the  quote),  “  ___________________________  
format.  A  quote  cannot  stand  alone  as  a   _____________________________________________________
sentence.  It  needs  to  be  introduced.   _____________________________________________”  (_____).
5. Explain:  How  does  the  quote  you  selected   5.  Explain:  ___________________________________________  
show  or  demonstrate  the  theme  of  the   _____________________________________________________
novel?     _____________________________________________________  
6. Expand  on  the  theme:  Provide  another   6.  Expand  on  the  theme:  ________________________________  
example  from  this  novel  that  reveals  this   _____________________________________________________
theme.   _____________________________________________________  
7. Cite  textual  evidence:  Provide  a  quote  that   7.  Cite  textual  evidence:  For  example,  (explain  what  is  happening  
illustrates  the  theme  and  cite  it  in  MLA   in  the  story  before  the  quote),  “  ___________________________  
format.     _____________________________________________”  (_____).  
8. Explain:  How  does  this  quote  show  or   8.  Explain:  ____________________________________________  
demonstrate  the  theme  of  the  novel?     _____________________________________________________  
9. Concluding  statement:  provide  a  final   9.  Concluding  statement:  ________________________________  
thought  about  the  theme.   _____________________________________________________  

© 2015 – present: The Daring English Teacher

Name: _______________________________________________________ Per: __________ Date: ____________

Writing Task Theme

In literature, theme is the central message of the text. It is a message that the author wanted to
impart on his/her audience. The theme is usually developed through the characters’ actions and
dialogue. Sometimes the theme is explicitly stated, but in most cases, the theme is revealed
gradually in the text.

Determine the theme of (or one of the themes of) the novel, and write a detailed, one-paragraph
response that briefly summarizes the plot and identifies and analyzes the theme.
Paragraph Title
Paragraph Elements Paragraph Brainstorming Notes
1. Topic  sentence:  What  is  this  paragraph   1. In  the  novel  _____________________  by  ________________,  
about?  (genre,  (tle,  author,)   _____________________________________________________
2. Summary:  Keep  the  summary  brief  and   _____________________________________________________
concise.  This  should  be  3-­‐4  sentences.   _____________________________________________________
Effec@ve  summaries  do  not  contain  any   _____________________________________________________
opinion.   _____________________________________________________
3. Iden7fy  the  theme:  State  what  the  theme   3.  The  theme  of  the  (novel/chapter)  is  ______________________  
of  this  novel  is.   because  ______________________________________________  
4. Cite  textual  evidence:  Provide  a  quote  that   4.  For  example,  (explain  what  is  happening  in  the  story  before  the  
illustrates  the  theme  and  cite  it  in  MLA   quote),  “  _____________________________________________  
format.  A  quote  cannot  stand  alone  as  a   _____________________________________________________
sentence.  It  needs  to  be  introduced.   _____________________________________________”  (_____).
5. Explain:  How  does  the  quote  you  selected   5.  This  event  helps  reveal  the  novel’s  theme  of  _______________  
show  or  demonstrate  the  theme  of  the   because_______________________________________________
novel?     _____________________________________________________  
6. Expand  on  the  theme:  Provide  another   6.  Another  example  that  shows  the  novel’s  theme  is  when  _____  
example  from  this  novel  that  reveals  this   _____________________________________________________
theme.   _____________________________________________________  
7. Cite  textual  evidence:  Provide  a  quote  that   7.  For  example,  (explain  what  is  happening  in  the  story  before  the  
illustrates  the  theme  and  cite  it  in  MLA   quote),  “  ______________________________________________  
format.     _____________________________________________”  (_____).  
8. Explain:  How  does  this  quote  show  or   8.  This  event  helps  further  reveal  the  novel’s  theme  because  ____  
demonstrate  the  theme  of  the  novel?     _____________________________________________________  
9. Concluding  statement:  provide  a  final   9.  In  conclusion,  ________________________________________  
thought  about  the  theme.   _____________________________________________________  

© 2015 – present: The Daring English Teacher

The Daring English Teacher
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