The document discusses the difference between a topic and a theme. A topic is the subject that is being discussed or written about, while a theme is the main idea or statement that an author makes about that topic. There can be multiple themes about one topic. The document provides examples using famous paintings to illustrate how to identify the topic and themes. It also discusses how writers develop themes within their works using plot events, characterization, setting, point of view, imagery, and language.

1. Topic vs. Theme
What’s the Difference?

2. What’s a topic?
O A subject
O Something people talk or write about

3. What’s a theme?
O what the author is saying about a topic
O A main idea communicated (in full
sentence form)
O Note:
O There may be multiple themes about one
topic in a piece.
O Many pieces cover more than one topic, so
there are usually many themes in a piece
of writing.

4. Practice with Art

5. “American Gothic”
Grant Wood (1930)
O Describe what’s
depicted in the
painting.
O What’s a topic in the
painting?
O What’s a theme
about that topic?

6. “American Gothic”
Adaptations
O What has changed
from the original?
O How do those
adaptations alter
the painting's
meaning/theme?

7. “American Gothic”
Adaptations

8. “Mona Lisa”
Leonardo DaVinci(c. 1503)
O Topic?
O Theme?

9. “Mona Lisa”
Adaptations
O What has changed
from the original?
O How do those
adaptations alter
the painting's
meaning/theme?

10. “Mona Lisa”
Adaptations

11. How do writer’s create
themes?

12. Theme Machines
O Plot events
O Characterization
O Seen in the setting
O Using a unique POV
O Imagery/description
O Rhythm of the language

13. Let’s get back to the book.

14. Examine your topic in Night.
O Prepare for Socratic Seminar using the
handout.
O Identify passages worth talking about.
O Identify ideas worth reviewing.
O Develop open-ended questions to dig
deeper.
O Identify themes and how Wiesel developed
them to figure out the purpose of your topic
in Night.