If your language arts learners have a hard time determining the universal theme of a written work, use a straightforward worksheet to help them find it. After reviewing a list of common themes, kids note the title, character, plot, point of view, and any symbols or allusions that could point to the most descriptive theme of what they are reading.

Concepts

literary themes, universal themes, literary elements, plot, point of view, symbols, allusions

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Use as a book report form for your kids' outside reading
• Have kids discuss the themes and literary elements in small reading groups
• Prompt your class to fill out the form when brainstorming a creative story or narrative essay

Pros

• An elegant way to have kids both analyze the elements of their book or short story, as well as to establish the meaning of universal theme
• Applicable to any narrative work

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.6.2 RL.7.2 RL.8.2 RL.9-10.2 RL.11-12.2