Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
Genre is a category of artistic composition marked by a distinctive style, form, or
content.
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
Think of genre as a category in literature.
Can you think of any?
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
tragedy, comedy, farce, mystery, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, etc…
These are all genres.
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
In film there are similar genres such as tragedy, comedy, farce,
westerns, science fiction, fantasy, documentary, etc…these are all
genres.
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
Now let’s look at theme.When asked to look at
theme think of “message.”
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
What life lessons can be learned by watching the character handle
the conflict?
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
Theme is defined as a topic of discussion; subject of artistic representation; an implicit or recurrent idea; a motif
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
Theme can be issues of loyalty, vengeance,
unrequited love, redemption,
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
There are universal themes. You’ll find these themes
reoccurring over and over again.
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
Universal themes come from emotions
and transcend (cut-through) culture, gender, age, geography,
historical period, and genres.
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
Universal themes come from such topics or as:
-Acceptance -Beauty-Betrayal -Death-Deception -Despair-Education -Envy
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
More topics from which we get universal themes:-Fear -Family -Faith -Freedom-Friendship -Greed-Hatred -Hope
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
Even more topics from which we get universal themes:
-Honesty -Identity-Innocence -Justice-Law -Love-Money -Nature
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
…and more topics from which we get universal themes:
-Peace -Poverty-Pride -Revenge-Sacrifice -Time-Truth -War
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
Remember genre?Let’s think about genre again.Think about a story you know.
Got one?
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
What genre would you place your story in?
What was the theme? These are separate things and we
need to know the difference.
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
We call it satire, which is usually
loaded with social commentary.
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
Now let’s look at theme using the context of our last
examples.
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
That’s right!: love, loyalty, persecution, freedom, and redemption,
just to name a few.
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
Harry Potter has several
theme topics. Can you
guess a few?
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
That’s right!: family, loss, love, community, and
friendship, just to name a few.
Joyet 2006
Genre vs. ThemeGenre vs. Theme
You guessed it: love, loyalty, persecution,
freedom, redemption, family, loss, community,
friendship and even corruption.
.
Joyet 2006
Figuring out THEMESFiguring out THEMES
Brainstorm theme topics by using the strategy, “Most
Important Word”.
Joyet 2006
Figuring Out ThemesFiguring Out Themes After reading a story, think about concepts.
These are words that cannot be experienced with your senses, but are ideas.
Ask yourself… “What is a most important word of this story?”
Then, create a brainstorming tree and jot down the concept words.
Joyet 2006
Developing a Theme StatementDeveloping a Theme Statement Themes are not one word topics. Themes are messages about the one word topics.
For example: Acceptance In Freak the Mighty, the characters, Kevin and Max,
learn that acceptance of each other’s strengths and weaknesses deepens their friendship and helps develop stronger self-confidence and abilities.
Joyet 2006
Developing a Theme StatementDeveloping a Theme Statement Themes are not one word topics. Themes are messages about the one word topics.
Example: Perseverance Cinderella perseveres even though her life is filled with
unfortunate difficulties. She remains hard-working and kind. As a result of her perseverance, she is visited by a fairy god-mother who rewards her. As a result of perseverance, the prince finds his “lost” love.
Joyet 2006
How to develop your theme topicHow to develop your theme topic
Ask yourself what was the result (of your most important word) for the main character.
How does the character develop and grow?
What is the universal message that a reader can apply to his or her own life? What was the author’s purpose?
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