The document discusses how to identify and analyze themes in novels. It explains that a theme is not just a single word or idea, but rather what the author is saying about that idea. Students are instructed to identify ideas explored in the novel they read, determine what the author is saying about those ideas to develop them into themes. They are then asked to analyze how the themes are presented and developed through characters, plots, settings, and style and to evaluate which theme is most important in the novel.

1. THEMES Y7 Novel Unit

2. What is a theme?Themes often come from ideas or aspects explored in a text.For example, friendship is an idea explored in Harry Potter.What ideas are explored in the novel you have been reading? Make a list.

3. An idea is not a themeIt is not as simple as that (it never is!)A theme should be a complete thought, rather that a single word.So… what is the writer saying about friendship in Harry Potter?In order to work this out, you need to explore what the idea of friendship means.Log onto www.visualthesaurus.com and explore the meaning of the terms and the ideas you have identified in the novel you have been reading.

4. Exploring meaningWhat does this tell us about the issue of friendship?

5. Turning an idea into a themeSo what is the writer saying about friendship in Harry Potter?Forming friendships are an important part of growing up and influence the person you grow up to become.

6. Take your list of ideas featured in the novel.Now turn them into themes. Think about what the author is saying about these ideas.

7. What are you being told about the ideas?

8. Share these ideas with a partner.Picking the key themesAs a class decide of 5 key themes shown in the novels.Divide into 5 groups to explore how the themes are presented and developed.

9. How are themes presented and developed?There are a number of ways themes can be presented and developed in a novel:Through characters

10. Through plot events