The theme is the point a writer is trying to make about a subject. Learning about theme helps you decide what is important. The theme of the poem tells what the whole poem is about. All the words, descriptions, figurative language, detail sentences and scenes are all small parts that add to the reader's understanding of what you feel about the theme. Let's try something, here are some central ideas, or THEMES. As a team, brainstorm some of your thoughts and feelings about the following ideas.

Now, you're ready to come up with the "big idea!" Name a theme and then brainstorm your ideas. You may want to use an idea web to "capture" your thoughts.

Last updated December 30, 2004