The concept of theme in literature can be confusing to intermediate students. Let’s look at some steps we can take to help them grasp it.
If you’ve ever asked your students, “What’s a theme in this story?” and heard an answer like “It’s about two friends”, you’re not alone. Determining theme can feel like walking through fog for some students; they know there’s meaning in the story, but they can’t quite see it. The good news is that once they learn how to look for clues to the theme, that fog starts to clear.
In this post, we’ll unpack the concept of theme in literature, how to explain the difference between a theme topic and a theme statement, and how to introduce and reinforce theme in ways that make it stick.
What is a Literary Theme?
The theme is the heartbeat of a story. It’s the message that stays with readers long after the story is over. It’s not about what happens in the story, but about what the author is trying to convey about life or human nature.
Think of it this way: if the plot tells the story, the theme tells us why it matters.
When you teach the concept of theme, invite students to look beyond the surface events. Ask:
- What did the character learn?
- How did they change?
- What might the author want readers to think about after reading?
A good conversation starter is this: If you could sum up the author’s message in one sentence, what would it be? This question helps students go beyond a simple summary of the story and prompts them to reflect on the deeper meaning.
What Is the Difference Between a Theme Topic and a Theme Statement?
To gain a deeper understanding of the themes in a story, students must be able to distinguish between theme topics and theme statements.
A theme topic is a single word or short phrase, such as love, courage, honesty, or greed.
A theme statement is what the author is saying about the topic.
- Topic: friendship → Statement: True friendship means standing by someone even when it’s inconvenient.
- Topic: greed → Statement: Greed can destroy the things that matter most.
Brainstorming some theme topics that relate to the story is an excellent starting point for students, but they need to take it a step further and develop those topics into theme statements. Share this sentence starter with students on your next handout or anchor chart to help them turn a theme topic into a theme statement:
The author wants readers to understand that…
It’s incredible how this prompt can transform their thinking from one-word answers to deeper insight and reflection.
How Can I Introduce the Concept of Theme in Literature?
The best way to introduce theme is to start small and clear. Personally, I don’t think you can go wrong with Aesop’s fables.
Each fable is short, memorable, and comes with a built-in moral that’s easy for students to grasp. Read The Tortoise and the Hare, and you’ll see how naturally they say, “The lesson is that slow and steady wins the race.” Once they’ve mastered that, take away the printed “moral of the story” and ask them to infer the theme themselves.
You can also have students rewrite the moral in their own words to make it more modern or personal. For example, “Don’t rush just to show off” or “Consistency beats confidence.” Suddenly, the lesson feels relevant, and that’s when the lightbulbs turn on.
When students begin to recognize the themes in fables, they’ll be ready to apply this understanding to longer stories, novels, and poems.
Check out my digital Theme With Aesop’s Fables Lesson and Practice for grades 4-6 on Teachers Pay Teachers.
How Can I Reinforce the Concept of Theme in Literature?
After introducing the concept of theme, the goal is to help students recognize the clues that point to it in any story they read. Authors rarely come out and say, “Here’s the theme!”, so students have to read between the lines.
Encourage them to track what the characters say, do, and feel. Ask:
- What struggles or decisions shape the character?
- What ideas, symbols, or lessons seem to repeat?
- How does the story end, and what feeling or message lingers?
These questions help students build evidence for a theme. A simple classroom strategy is to have students use a graphic organizer to record clues to the theme as they read:
- A possible theme topic
- A short piece of evidence (a quote, moment, or decision)
- A revised theme statement
Over time, they’ll notice that different stories share similar themes and that they relate to real life. This connection is precisely what we want them to discover.
Check out my printable Theme Lesson Plan and Practice with a Short Story for grades 4-6 on Teachers Pay Teachers.
So the next time you teach the concept of theme in literature, focus on guiding students to look beyond the surface of the story. Encourage them to ask, What does this story teach us about life, people, or ourselves? When students start thinking that way, they begin to see that the magic of literature isn’t just in the plot, but in the message that lingers long after the last page.
For more ideas on how to teach students to read deeply, consider reading Helpful Strategies for Teaching Inferencing in the ELA Classroom.
