Theme Video and Board Notes

Media Resources:

Although this focuses on movies and screenplays, this video is excellent.

Watch this:  https://youtu.be/rIuKNVny9cM

Use this:  http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson800/theme.pdf


Most common mistakes with theme:

1 – Not being universal enough.  Themes need to be about big, abstract ideas that connect to everyone everywhere, not about specific characters in a specific plot.

2 -  Having only one or two words.  Thinking of themes as single words or ideas like “justice” or “true love" are great topics or story ideas, but they aren't themes.

3 – Being shallow, or vague where the theme doesn't really say anything – “love conquers all”  “good defeats evil”  “Everyone has a destiny."  Better themes need to drill deeper into an idea and not be able to apply to every story ever told.


Examples of theme from movies:

Part of loving someone is letting go of control and giving people (children) the freedom to make their own mistakes.
   or
Through friendship you can overcome your fears and insecurities.
     (Finding Nemo)

Revenge destroys everyone and everything including the person seeking it.
     (Many Stories)

We must all take responsibility for our actions because at the end of the day nobody else will.
(or)
No matter how many mistakes you’ve made, it’s never too late to set things right.
     (Iron Man)

No matter how advanced our creations become, they can never replace the human spirit.
     (The Terminator)

Too Vague:  If we work together, we can conquer anything.
Better:  With family and marital unity, anything is possible.
    (The Incredibles)