What is the message about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader?

What is the message about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader?

• A. Character
• B. Plot
• C. Point of view
• D. Theme

Answer: (D)

The message about life or human nature a writer shares is called the theme. This question asks you to identify that deeper takeaway the story gives about life. Theme is different from who a character is, what happens in the story (the plot), or who is telling the story (the point of view). A character shows what someone is like; the plot describes the events that occur; the point of view is the narrator’s perspective. The theme, however, is the broad insight or claim about life that the author communicates through those events and characters. To uncover it, look for a universal idea or lesson that the story seems to emphasize, such as that kindness matters, courage grows in hardship, or you can’t judge a book by its cover. In this sense, the message about life or human nature—the takeaway the author wants readers to carry with them—is the theme.

The message about life or human nature a writer shares is called the theme. This question asks you to identify that deeper takeaway the story gives about life. Theme is different from who a character is, what happens in the story (the plot), or who is telling the story (the point of view). A character shows what someone is like; the plot describes the events that occur; the point of view is the narrator’s perspective. The theme, however, is the broad insight or claim about life that the author communicates through those events and characters. To uncover it, look for a universal idea or lesson that the story seems to emphasize, such as that kindness matters, courage grows in hardship, or you can’t judge a book by its cover. In this sense, the message about life or human nature—the takeaway the author wants readers to carry with them—is the theme.