Theme 9 - ID/Selection Exercise: General vs. Specific Themes
Literary Core Skill:
Define and review the definition of specific theme.
Resources: Socratic List question 13b; TC Syllabus section 6.
Elements of Fiction:
Assignment Type:
Description:
This worksheet presents a list of general and specific themes. Students identify each as “general” or “specific.”
The “specific theme” of a story is the case, point, or argument that the author is making about a universal idea, topic, or question. It is distinct from “general theme,” which is the universal idea itself. Every story thus has both a general theme (topic) and a specific theme (thesis).
Grading Rubric:
One point for each correct answer.