Introduction
Today you are a literary detective. You've been hired by a client and you're now on the hunt for the often elusive THEME. The client is also wanting to write a new story and needs your help in gathering ideas to match a theme he has brainstormed. He needs your help in creating a plot diagram to match his theme.
You're going to read several stories and work to determine the theme. Then you are going to choose one of four themes and write a plot diagram to match it.
Before you begin, you need to make sure you know what theme is.
* Theme is the message about life the author is wanting to reveal to the reader.
For example, in "The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf", the theme is "Don't lie." The little boy lies about there being a wolf so many times that when a real wolf comes, no one comes to help and all the sheep are killed. The lesson the boy learns is not to tell a lie.
You also need to keep in mind what theme is NOT.
* Theme is NOT one word.
In other words, Lying is not a theme but a topic. Theme is also not specific to one story.
* Theme is NOT a summary. In "The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf", the theme would not be "A ittle boy learned not to lie."
A theme has to be a sentence and has to be able to be applied to any story with a similar plot without having to change any of the words.
Task
Assignment 1: You are to read and analyze three stories that your client needs to know the theme of. He is very curious about how you will find the theme, so he wants you to write down the three steps that you follow:
1. What's the conflict?
2. What's the resolution?
3. What did the character learn?
After you answer the three questions, you need to bring all of those answers together to find the theme!
Write all your information on the sheet you were provided. Make sure to punctuate your story titles correctly and to write the theme in a complete sentence.
Assignment 2: Choose one of the following THEMES about friendship. Using the characters and setting given, create a plot diagram (story) where your chosen theme would fit.
Theme #1: Friendship is important.
Characters: Two middle school boys
Setting(s): school
Theme #2: Friendship can happen despite differences.
Characters: Two middle school students
Setting(s) : school
Theme #3: Friendship is more important than romance.
Characters: Two middle school girls
Setting(s) : school
Theme #4: True friendship is worth fighting for.
Characters: Two middle school students
Setting(s) : school
Process
Story 1
1. Read the story "The Miser" by copying and pasting this web address in a new tab: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/Mis.shtml2.Write down what you think the conflict of the story is.3. Write down what you think the resolution to the conflict is.4.Write down what you think the character has learned from the conflict and the resolution.5. Analyze all of those parts and, together, decide what the theme of the story is.Story 21. Read the story "The Banker and the Pauper" by copying and pasting this web address in a new tab: http://www.kidsgen.com/short_stories/banker_pauper.htm2.Write down what you think the conflict of the story is.3. Write down what you think the resolution to the conflict is.4.Write down what you think the character has learned from the conflict and the resolution.5. Analyze all of those parts and, together, decide what the theme of the story is.
Story 31. Read the story "The Stone Cutter" by copying and pasting this web address in a new tab: http://www.kidsgen.com/short_stories/stone_cutter.htm2.Write down what you think the conflict of the story is.3. Write down what you think the resolution to the conflict is.4.Write down what you think the character has learned from the conflict and the resolution.5. Analyze all of those parts and, together, decide what the theme of the story is.
Next, using the theme, charcters, and setting provided, create your own plot for a story that would prove your chosen theme to be true. Use the following format: (The is also already on your sheet)
Theme __________________________________________.
Characters: ________________________________
Setting(s): school
Plot outline:
1. (Exposition)
2. (Conflict)
3. (Resolution)
Evaluation
Assignment 1: You must be sure to be a good detective and write down the four steps and answer the questions at each step in order for you to get credit. Your client won't be too happy if he can't understand what your process is! You must also write the theme as a complete sentence. If you are having a problem, please raise your hand and I will come to you!
Assignment 2: Your plot diagram must include the chosen theme, the characters, the setting provided in the choices. It must also include the exposition, conflict, and resolution. Make sure that the conflict and resolution lead the reader to learn the lesson (theme) that you chose.
Conclusion
Now that you have finished your assignment, I'm sure that your client has a better understanding of theme and the process behind finding it! Please, for your client's benefit though, write one thing about today's work that you enjoyed at the bottom of your paper. Thank you!
Credits
This webquest was adapted from a similar one found at http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=87238.
Teacher Page
This WebQuest is designed to help students understand theme. I have them run through three stories so that they can really put into practice the steps involved in finding the theme of a story. Then, for extension, I have them work backwards to create a plot to match an universal theme. This activity aligns with Tennessee state standards.