Theme

How to write short story and its salient features??

Presented by Misbah javid

Theme:

The

story’s main idea.

The message

writer wants to

communicate by

telling the story.

The central idea

of a story.

Theme is about

life or human

nature .

Theme is not

stated directly but

must be inferred.

Its not a moral

lesson or rule of

living.

Types of theme

Implied themes

must be inferred

by considering all

the elements of a

story and asking

what message

about life is

conveyed.

Stated themes

are directly

presented in a

story. And is

easily

defined.

For example:

The theme of “Cinderella” is implied. The reader can infer the message that if you are in a bad situation, you should do the best that you can. In the end, things will work out for you. 

Theme can be

revealed by:

A story’s title.

Key phrases and

statements

about big

ideas.

The ways the

characters

change and the

lesson they

learn about life.

Theme and topic matchup:

Courage Revenge Jealousy Dreams

1-Be careful how you treat other people; 1-___________

They may treat you the same.

2-Face your fear and you can defeat them. 2-__________

3-Do not wish for what others posses. Be 3-___________

Happy with what you have.

4-Work what you want in life and you can 4-___________

Achieve any goal.

Creating thematic statements (not topic):

Example: Courage

• Courage allows people attempt difficult task

 (Thematic idea) (Assertion about thematic idea)

 

In their lives even when the

(Qualifying clause: When, because,

Possibility of failure is very high.

Useless, even, so, that, whatever, if, etc)

Themes are Usually about Big ideas:For example:FreedomFriendshipTrustGood vs. evilPovertyEducationLifeLaw BraveryAnd much, much more

Valuable points:

Theme is not the topic.

Theme is the point

being made about the

topic.

Theme is statement

about life.

A good theme teach

valuable lesson about

life .

Some stories have

only one theme

or message.

Other stories have

many lessons or

messages.

The theme of famous

short story button

button:

In the story Button,

Button by Richard

Matheson the theme of

the story is don’t let

money get the best of

you.

Listen to the people

who love you.

Remember if you

push the button

you can kill

someone you love

or someone you

don't know.

The difference between theme and moral:A moral can be a

theme but a theme cannot always be a moral. A moral teaches you something (e.g. slow and steady wins the race).A moral is a message or lesson the author wants to teach.

A theme is a device to help convey the author's message. A theme is a general idea (e.g. love, courage)

Thank you