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Identifying the Theme of a Poem

Lesson Objectives

  1. In this lesson, students will learn to use details in a text to identify the theme of a poem. 
  2. In this lesson, students will identify the key differences between the main idea and the theme of a poem. 

The Hook

What is poetry?

Poetry is one of the oldest ways to express deep emotions about life. Poetry is art in wordform. Poetry can make you laugh, cry, or get angry as a result of the author's chosen words of expression. Poetry can also hold different meaning for each person who reads it. 

In this lesson, you are going to learn how to identify the theme, or the central message, of a poem. 

Pre- Assessment

Before we begin your lesson, we need to find out what you already know about identifying a poem's theme.

Directions: Read the statements and choose the best answer. 

  1. The theme of a poem is the  that the author wants the reader to understand. 
  2. In order to understand theme, you must first determine how the author  about the subject.
  3. Next, you need to determine if the positive or negative?
  4. Finally, determine what the character or reader has learned. 

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Part One: Direct lesson

Focus Question:

Have you ever read a poem and wondered what it means? Poetry is not always straight forward. Poets often use metaphors to express their feelings and deliver a message to their readers. 

Determining the theme of a poem can help you identify the author's central message. 

Are the Main Idea and Theme of a poem the same thing? NO! 

What is the difference between the Theme and the Main Idea?

Now that you know the difference between Main Idea and Theme, let's talk about the key steps to identifying the theme of a poem.

Identifying the theme of a poem in 5 easy steps:

  1. Read the title. Can you identify the mood or make an inference about the poem?
  2. Read the poem: What images did you get when reading the poem? Can you connect those images to your own life and experiences?
  3. Look for lines that repeat: What do the repeating lines mean? What is the author trying to tell you?
  4. Write the poem in your own words: How could you write the poem in a different way? What key information would you include in the new poem?
  5. Read the poem again: What lesson did you learn?

Ask yourself these key questions! 

  • What does the author want me to learn?
  • What is the author's mood or tone? 
  • How can I make a personal connection with the poem ?

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. "her poetry depends on suggestion and metaphor"

A Central Message is the Big Idea of the story. Examples of a Central Message: Friendship is important, love, value your family, hard work pays off, be yourself

Practice

Sometimes, it is easier to find the theme of a poem if we can relate the story to our own life. Let's practice now! 

The Voice by Shel Silverstein

There is a voice inside of you
That whispers all day long,
"I feel this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong."
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
Or wise man can decide
What's right for you--just listen to
The voice that speaks inside.

Use the graphic organizer to determine the meaning of this poem:

NOTE: make sure to use TEXT from the poem to answer the question and then make a personal connection.

 

Identifying Theme The Voice.

After reading The Voice by Shel Silverstein, follow the steps in the lesson to identify the theme of the poem.

  1. Read the title. Can you identify the mood or make an inference about the poem?
  2. Read the poem: What images did you get when reading the poem? Can you connect those images to your own life and experiences?
  3. Look for lines that repeat: What do the repeating lines mean? What is the author trying to tell you?
  4. Write the poem in your own words: How could you write the poem in a different way? What key information would you include in the new poem?
  5. Read the poem again: What lesson did you learn?
  1. The mood of the poem is (Positive / Negative)
  2. The theme of the poem is (Be independent / Listen to your parents) . 

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Part 2: Checkpoint

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Dreams by Langston Hughes

Dreams

 Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams 
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

Final Assessment

Now, let's see what you learned today about identifying a poem's theme.

Read the questions below and fill in the missing words.

  1. The theme of a poem is the (main idea / central message)   that the author wants the reader to understand. 
  2. In order to understand theme, you must first identify how the author or character (feels / responds)  about the subject.
  3. In the poem Dreams, the author's mood, or tone, is (Happy / Somber)  .
  4. The theme of Dreams is (never give up on your goals or life will be without hope / life without dreams is like a broken bird that cannot fly)

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