
Printable Identifying the Theme of a Story Worksheets
The overall message a story puts forth is referred to as the theme. All stories have one or multiple themes. This can give a solid understanding of how the characters interact and how their decisions influence their individual traits. Writers will often elude to the theme repeated times throughout the body of the story. Major themes are those messages that are given off multiple times throughout the story. There can also be minor themes that are only a select time in the story.
When you are working on this and focusing on determining the theme of any passage start by understanding the setting of the story and the things that were taking place at the time in history. If it is a fictional story focus on character’s mindset as well. That can often lead you in the right direction. The next move is to relate to the protagonist of the story, what do you think their goal is? Is there any level of conflict or situations that would lead you to make other decisions? The last step is to look at the resolution of the story. Who wins and who loses? This is series of practical and skill building worksheets that can be used in coordination with bodies of work that you are exploring. You will be provided with short and extended reading passages that will require you to outline and breakdown the summary of the work. We provide a number of literature language graphic organizers to use with literature that you are discovering with your classes. We will also explore portions of well known works of literature for you to practice these skills with. There are fifteen worksheets contained in this series to help you build upon your recognition skills.
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Main Concepts
What is the main point of the story? Cite evidence from the text that would support your argument.


Mary and Ruth
In this assignment, you will read a short story and determine the theme.



Title of Book
Find three quotes that illustrate the major thoughts and concepts of the story.



What Do They Have in Common?
We will work on relating literature titles that we have read in the past to topics and then expand upon them. Follow the example.



Identification Activity
You will read the story of Harry. He is new to a school and was a tall muscular kid. His nature did not fit his physical features. See where it goes and explain what you are seeing.


Take a Position Worksheet
You will choose from the topics: family, love, loss, hope, and freedom. You will take a position on that topic and write a journal entry on it.


Identify the Theme
Read the story. Breakdown what you read and then see how a position is formed and the story revolves around it.


Your Story
You are looking for the message that an author wants to convey through the story.


Recurring Themes
A recurring theme is a message that occurs in more than one literary work. We will explore this and show you how to find this in what you are reading.


How is it Developed?
Read the assigned text. Fill out the graphic organizer below to help you understand how it is developed through each of the identified story elements.


What's the Theme?
Read the story and show how this message is developed over the course of the story.


Universal Themes
A universal theme is a concept that everyone can relate to. Because it has to do with what it means to be human, it normally transcends gender, culture, and geographical differences.


Expressing Theme
Some of the lines below are single-sentence summaries of stories. Some are expression of theme. Can you tell the difference?


Icarus and Daedalus
Read the story. Identify the theme. Then say what happens in the story that tells you this. Remember, they take a position on a topic.



Characters, plot, setting and the author's purpose
These worksheets focus on the basic elements of stories including characters, plot and setting.
Choose your grade / topic:
Grade 1 - Story Elements Worksheets
Identify the characters, setting and main plot of short texts.
Grade 2 - Character, Setting and Plot Worksheets
Identify characters, setting and plot, including the character's "problem" and its solution.
Grade 3 - Basics of Storytelling
Identify characters, setting, plot and author's purpose.
Grade 4 Author's Purpose Worksheets
Analyze the author's purpose in writing selected texts.
Grade 5 - Elements of a Story
Analyze characters, settings, plots and author's purpose.

Sample Story Elements Worksheet
Story Elements Worksheets
Every story has basic components: characters, setting, plot, theme, and conflict. These elements answer the basic questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? By understanding each of these components, students are better able to analyze and appreciate the author’s work. You’ll find our story elements worksheets listed below. Click on the title to view, download, or print the PDF. You may use them for free at home or in class. Be sure to check out all of our reading worksheets. If you're looking for more activities, check out www.readingvine.com's story elements reading passages.
Aesop: Put the Events in Order
Aesop was a Greek writer who wrote stories called fables. A fable is a story that gives a lesson at the end. Students read through a fable and put the events in order.
- Grade Levels:
- 2nd and 3rd Grade, Grades K, Kindergarten & 1st Grade
- CCSS Code(s):
- RL, RL, RL
Plot Actions Helper
Starting at the top of the castle, students write the first action in the story. Below that they write the second action, then the third, and then the fourth.
- Grade Levels:
- 2nd and 3rd Grade, Grades K, Kindergarten & 1st Grade
- CCSS Code(s):
- RL, RL, RL
Who Is a Character?
In this activity, students read the sentence and then circle the word that describes the character.
- Grade Levels:
- 2nd and 3rd Grade, Grades K, Kindergarten & 1st Grade
- CCSS Code(s):
- RL.K, RL.1, RL.2
Build a Plot: Connect the Paragraphs
This worksheet includes the opening of a story and the end of a story. Students decide what the problem is, then what the steps, or plot actions, should be to link the beginning of the story with the end.
- Grade Levels:
- 2nd and 3rd Grade, Grades K
- CCSS Code(s):
- RL, RL
Build a Plot: Write the Steps
Students read the opening and ending of a story, and decide what the problem is, then what the steps, or plot actions, should be to link the beginning of the story with the end.
- Grade Levels:
- 2nd and 3rd Grade, Grades K
- CCSS Code(s):
- RL, RL
Put the Plot in Order
The teacher cuts out each plot action card and mixes them up. The student puts the cards in the correct order.
- Grade Levels:
- 2nd and 3rd Grade, Grades K
- CCSS Code(s):
- RL, RL, RL
Story Elements Form
This is a more detailed story elements form template that includes boxes for character, setting, theme, problem, solution and plot/actions.
- Grade Levels:
- 2nd and 3rd Grade, 4th and 5th Grade, Grades K
- CCSS Code(s):
- RL.2, RL.3, RL.4, RL.5
Story Elements Helper
Thisis a helpful template for elementary school students. It provides a box for different story elements like character, setting, plot and theme.
- Grade Levels:
- 2nd and 3rd Grade, 4th and 5th Grade
- CCSS Code(s):
- RL.2, RL.3, RL.4, RL.5
Story Elements: Problem and Solution
A story element activity that asks students to read short passages and write down the problem and the solution.
- Grade Levels:
- 2nd and 3rd Grade, 4th and 5th Grade, Grades K
- CCSS Code(s):
- RL.3, RL.4
Story Elements: What’s the Setting?
In this story elements worksheet for elementary school grades, students read the passages and write the setting.
- Grade Levels:
- 2nd and 3rd Grade, 4th and 5th Grade, Grades K
- CCSS Code(s):
- RL.3, RL.4
Using Story Elements: Plan a Story
Planning a story can be tough. This activity helps students break things down so that its easier to envision and write the story. A great beginning writing activity for 3rd 5th graders.
- Grade Levels:
- 2nd and 3rd Grade, 4th and 5th Grade, Grades K
- CCSS Code(s):
- WA, WA, WA
Discovering the Elements of the Story
This activity asks students to read a short passage in Alices Adventures in Wonderland and asking several story element questions.
- Grade Levels:
- 4th and 5th Grade, Grades K
- CCSS Code(s):
- RL.4, RL.5
Theme Worksheets
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
Theme worksheets and plot
plot and theme
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