Post on 24-Dec-2015
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