Identifying themes and ideas - Themes – WJEC - GCSE English Language Revision - WJEC - BBC Bitesize (2024)

FAQs

What is a theme in GCSE English? ›

Themes are the main ideas or meaning that run through a text and may be shown directly or indirectly. When working out themes it helps to look closely at the language choice, setting and characters.

Although a text may appear to be about events that take place, the themes are the ideas that run throughout. For example, Romeo and Juliet is about two young lovers from opposing families who meet by chance and fall in love. The main theme of the play is fate.

In literature, theme is a word used to talk about the 'big ideas'. This is different to the plot, which is what happens in the story. For example, the plot of JK Rowling's' Harry Potter series tells how a young boy discovers that he is a wizard.

A motif is a repeated image or idea in a text that helps develop a theme. It helps to know that the word 'motif' comes from the French word for pattern. For example, in the novella Of Mice and Men, there is a focus on the images of hands throughout the text.

The main idea of a text only applies to that specific text. It lists the characters' or subjects' names and plot points that are unique to the story or article. Themes are general. The same theme could apply to different texts with different characters or plot points.

Identifying the Theme in Five Steps

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.

'Theme' is the main idea around which a particular piece of writing or speech revolves. It is the central idea which is reiterated through the various characters and events in the text. The Oxford Learner's Dictionary defines the term 'theme' as “the subject or main idea in a talk, piece of writing or work of art”.

How do you identify the theme of a text? ›

The theme of a story is the underlying message or concept that the author is trying to convey to the reader. The theme of a story is generally an opinion the writer wants to convey through their storytelling.

Motifs are recurring concepts that are used to reinforce themes. They can be thought of as smaller aspects of a theme but are more specific. Themes are broad, overarching lessons that the author is trying to instill in the reader. Themes are broader than motifs.

Lesson Summary. A motif is a recurring symbol. It is a common literary device that helps to establish a theme or mood. Motifs can be almost anything: a repeated quote like in Fight Club, an object like in Lord of the Flies, or a theme like in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

A motif (pronounced mow-teef) can be an object, image, sound, idea, or word. A couple of key qualities can help you determine if what you're reading is a motif: Motifs are repeated throughout the story.

What are some examples of themes? Some examples of themes in literature are love, redemption, forgiveness, coming of age, revenge, good vs evil, bravery and hardship.

Definition of theme. Theme is a key literary element. Theme. In literature, a theme is a central idea that is recurringly explored and expressed throughout a text. Themes are the deeper issues that works of literature engage with that have a broader significance beyond the text.

A theme is a central, unifying idea. It's the bigger issue that emerges as the characters pursue their goals.

A literary theme is the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work.