Guided Practice 2.1 A2: Writing Theme Statements

Introduction

Now try your hand at writing some themes for the monologue, "I'm Not My Brother; I'm Me." Remember, theme statements do not say always, or never. And they do not make rules or lessons to live by. They are truthful comments about life.

Some examples of themes from "I'm Not My Brother; I'm Me" are:

When people act differently from what they really are, they may not recognize their true selves. This theme is about Mark's behaviour.

Some people will judge another because of his friends or relatives. This theme is about the teachers' behaviours.

Instructions

Write a theme statement to answer each of the following questions about "I'm not my Brother; I'm Me." Remember that a theme is not a moral lesson or an absolute (an always or never statement).

Note:

Your answers will probably be different from the answers here. Check that you have not made an absolute statement that says things will always or never be a certain way. Also, check that you have not written a moral by writing a rule or lesson that results from the story.


1. What does Mark's behaviour demonstrate about how people can respond to being misjudged?

2. What do the teachers' assumptions about Jonathan demonstrate about how people make mistakes about others?

3. What does Jonathan's choice show about how people can respond to being misjudged?