This document discusses how to identify the theme or message of a story. It explains that the big idea is the general topic, not the theme, and provides examples of common big ideas. Evidence from the story, such as dialogue, text, or events, supports the big idea. The theme is the life lesson or message the author wants readers to learn. For the story Shrek 2, the document suggests the big idea is inner beauty, while the theme or message is that when you love someone, their inner beauty is more important than their looks.

1. IV. Theme - the
author’s message,
or life lesson.

2. A. Big Idea
1. General topic of the
story.
2.It is NOT the theme!

3. 3. Examples:
Childhood Hope Prejudice
Courage Identity Race relations
Death Independence Self-reliance
Faith Justice Success
Family Love
Trust
Freedom Loyalty
Truth
Friendship Nature
Growing up Patience Unhappiness
Hate Patriotism Violence
War

4. Shrek 2 – Big Idea
Inner Beauty

5. B. Evidence
1. Text Evidence
from story to
support the Big
Idea

6. 2.Dialogue -
Something a
character says
3.Event - Something a
character does

7. 4. Text Evidence should
come from Beginning,
Middle, and End of the
story.

8. Shrek 2 - Evidence
When Shrek and Fiona step out of
the carriage to greet her parents,
the cheering crowd falls silent and a
bird flies into the wall. Everyone is
shocked and a
little horrified at
their appearance

9. Shrek 2 ShrekEvidence
A conversation between
- and King Harold soon
after they arrive at Fiona’s home:
King: So I suppose any grandchildren I could expect from you
would be...
Shrek: Ogres! Yes!
Queen: Not that there's
anything wrong with that. Right,
Harold?
King: Oh, no, no. Of course not!
That's assuming you don't eat
your own young.
Fiona: Dad!
Shrek: Oh, no, we usually prefer the ones who have been
locked away in the tower.
Fiona: Shrek, please!
King: I only did that because I love her!
Shrek: Oh, yeah! Daycare or dragon-guarded castle!

10. Shrek 2 - Evidence
Donkey: Oh,
Shrek. Don't
worry. Things
just seem
bad because it's dark and rainy
and Fiona's father hired a sleazy
hit man to whack you.

11. Shrek 2 - Evidence
Fairy Godmother:
Ogres do not have
happy endings!
Donkey: Shrek and I drank this
potion and now... we're sexy!

12. Shrek 2 - Evidence
Charming poses as
“human” Shrek, but
Fiona senses something
is wrong
Donkey: [after turning back
into a donkey] Aaaaaaw.
Shrek: You still look like a
noble steed to me

13. C. The Message
1. What the author wants
YOU to learn about the
Big Idea.
2. The life lesson of the
story
3. The message = the
theme!

14. Shrek 2 – The Message
When you love
someone, their
Inner Beauty is
more important
than their looks.
A beautiful face can hide an ugly
personality, while an ugly face can
hide your soul mate.