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 two stories and work to determine the theme. Then you are going to choose one of four themes and create a plot roller coaster to go with it.
Before you begin, you need to make sure you know what theme is. In your yellow spiral notebook, write down the important things you learn about theme from the information below:
* 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. You can apply it to anyone at any time. It is NOT specific to the story. No character's name or details from the story belong in the theme.
* Theme is NOT a summary. In "The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf", the theme would not be "A little boy learned not to lie." That is too specific to the story. It needs to be more general. What lesson can be learned that can apply to anyone?
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 two 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: TO FIND THE TWO STORIES, CLICK ON THE "PROCESS" TAB.
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 a piece of paper. 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 rollercoaster (fill out on plot rollercoaster worksheet) Make sure the theme is clear when you are filling out the details on your plot rollercoaster.
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
Below that I have listed the process that you should follow while completing your WebQuest. For each story there are 5 steps. They are listed below, so please follow them!
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.shtml
2.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 2
1. 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.htm
2.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)
Evaluation
When you think you are finished, please revisit each page and make sure you followed all the directions.
Conclusion
After you have checked over your work, turn in your paper and your plot rollercoaster to me.