THEME

[Mrs. Perdue]

THEME is the main idea the author wants you to take away from the story.

The Literary Element of Theme 

Theme is: 

• the central, underlying, and controlling idea or insight of a work of literature. 
• the idea the writer wishes to convey about the subject—the writer’s view of the world or a revelation about human nature. 

Theme is NOT: 

• expressed in a single word 
  
• the purpose of a work 
  
• the moral 
  
• the conflict 
  

Identifying the Theme in Five Steps 

To identify the theme, be sure that you’ve first identified the story’s plot, the way the story uses characterization, and the primary conflict in the story.  

Use these steps to determine the theme for a work: 

1.  Summarize the plot by writing a one-sentence description for the exposition, the conflict, the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the resolution. 

2. Identify the subject of the work. 

3. Identify the insight or truth that was learned about the subject. 

• How did the protagonist change? 

• What lesson did the protagonist learn from the resolution of the conflict? 

4. State how the plot presents the primary insight or truth about the subject. 

5. Write one or more generalized, declarative sentences that state what was learned and how it was learned. 

Theme Litmus Test 

• Is the theme supported by evidence from the work itself? 

• Are all the author’s choices of plot, character, conflict, and tone controlled by this theme? 

To respond to this discussion follow the steps to determine theme, and WRITE your generalized declarative sentence that states what was learned and how it was learned. 

Reply to others responses by elaborating, questioning or clarifying on their declarative statements.

[Rianna Voss]

I think the theme of Fish Cheeks is to be proud to be different.
Throughout the story Amy changes by going from ashamed to proud. She
changes because her mother talks to her about how she wants to be an
American girl but she is Chinese on the inside and she should be proud
of it

[Gaven Carley]

I think the theme of this story is being different and learning how to accept being different. She is a Chinese girl that wants to be American and that makes her different than all of her friends. She is ashamed of being Chinese but towards the end of the story she can accept being different and is proud. That is what i think the theme of this book is.

[Brandon Vogt]

the theme is you shouldent be ashamed of your culture its who you are thats what she learned.

[Malia Milan]

Amy is a shy girl that is embaressed by her culture and her family.
The subject is how Amy wants to be american. The truth is that you
cant always change whats on the outside and whats on the inside wont
change. Amy learned that you have to be who you are not who someone
else is.

[Molly Lenzner]

I think the theme of the story fish cheeks is be yourself and if one
person doesn't like you that doesn't mean you have to change your
personality.Also it means to be yourself and accept who ever you
become.

On May 8, 7:44 am, "Mrs. Perdue" <aper...@psdschools.org> wrote:
> THEME is the main idea the author wants you to take away from the story.
>
> The Literary Element of Theme
>
> Theme is:
>

>    - the central, underlying, and controlling idea or insight of a work of
>    literature.
>    - the idea the writer wishes to convey about the subject—the writer’s

>    view of the world or a revelation about human nature.
>
> Theme is NOT:
>

>    - expressed in a single word
>    - the purpose of a work
>    - the moral
>    - the conflict

>
> Identifying the Theme in Five Steps
>
> To identify the theme, be sure that you’ve first identified the
> story’s plot, the way the story uses characterization, and the primary
> conflict in the story.
>

> *Use these steps to determine the theme for a work: *

>
> 1.  Summarize the plot by writing a one-sentence description for
> the exposition, the conflict, the rising action, the climax, the
> falling action, and the resolution.
>
> 2. Identify the subject of the work.
>
> 3. Identify the insight or truth that was learned about the subject.
>
> • How did the protagonist change?
>
> • What lesson did the protagonist learn from the resolution of the
> conflict?
>
> 4. State how the plot presents the primary insight or truth about the
> subject.
>

> 5. Write one or more generalized, declarative<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/declarative?s=t>sentences that state what was learned and how it was learned.

[Taylor Brown]

Im going off of what Rihanna saidthe theme of this story is to just be
who you are and embrace your culture. You shouldnt have to change to
be right for anyone else and by the end of the story Amy has learned
to be proud of who she is rather that ashamed.

[Winter Olivas]

I agree with what you said Malia and it is very discriptive too!!
great job!! :)

[Ethan Conyers]

I think the theme of fish cheeks is to accept the real you and accept your culture no matter how different it or you may be.Amy changes in the story from embarrased to accepting and proud. Her change was caused by her mother tlk to her about changing for others and how she needs to be proud of her true identity.

[Ethan Anspach]

The theme is to be proud of your heritage and to never be afraid to be
different.

[Brandon Vogt]

 could it also be don't think what others are thinking about you but enjoy life.

[Malia Milan]

Great job Molly i never thought of it that way that if one person
doesn't like you it doesn't mean you have to change your personality.

[Rianna Voss]

good job ethan but while this is part of the theme you could have
added more details