Name: ______________________________ Section: ____________

Theme Worksheet
Direction: Determine the theme in each story.

1. In his sophomore year of high school, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at
Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach
believed that Jordan was too short to play at that level, so Jordan was cut from the team. Jordan didn't let
this obstacle defeat him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew
another four inches the following summer. When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25
points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.

What is the theme of the story? __________________________________________________________

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2. Frank and Joseph were super excited that the teacher assigned them to the same group. Unfortunately,
she also assigned George to their group. George never did any work, so Frank and Joseph knew that they
were going to have to pull his weight. Over the next week, the two boys worked extensively to create
and rehearse their presentation while George annoyed the girls who sat near him and played with his
phone under his desk. Frank asked Joseph whether they should tell the teacher about George's failure to
contribute to the project, but Joseph advised him against it because he didn't want them to be known as
snitches. So George continued to play as the other boys worked. On the last workday, Frank and Joseph
debated whether or not they should even write George's name on the project, but they decided to do it
just to avoid conflict. Soon it was time to deliver the presentation. Frank and Joseph bounced back and
forth in a lively conversational way, delivering facts to the audience and demonstrating their knowledge
of the subject. Unfortunately, when it was George's turn to present, he just turned his back to the
audience and read from the visual aid in a dry monotone voice. He mispronounced several words and
didn't seem to understand what he was reading. Shortly after the presentation, the boys received a score
sheet from their teacher. They had each received 90 points and the comment, "Frank and Joseph: nice
presentation but I would like to see George get more involved next time. Please try and include him."

What is the theme of the story? __________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

3. Katie exhaled calmly. After several long nights of studying, she finally felt ready for the exam.
Walking into her English class the next morning, Katie coolly focused on the task before her. As the
teacher walked up and down the rows distributing the test, Katie heard a noise, "Psst…" Katie turned to
see Shannon staring at her desperately. Shannon whispered, "I forgot to study. Please let me copy off of
you. I'll do anything." Katie refused, "I can't risk it Shannon." Each knew that if the teacher caught them,
they would both fail, but Shannon persisted, "Come on, Katie. Help me out. I'll give you fifty bucks."
The teacher turned toward them from across the room, "Ladies, please, it's test time." Katie didn't want
to jeopardize her future, but fifty dollars was a lot of money to her, so she silently nodded at Shannon.
During the exam Katie kept her test document on the corner of her desk near Shannon, giving Shannon a
clear view of all of her hard work. Shannon copied Katie's test exactly, even the writing portion word for
word. After the test Katie approached Shannon in the hallway. "When am I going to get the fifty
dollars?" Shannon sneered at her. "Ha, never. What are you going to tell someone that you let me copy?
Please..." Shannon snapped at Katie. Katie ran away crying, upset that she had been deceived and
worried that she would get caught cheating.

What is the theme of the story? __________________________________________________________

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Creative Nonfiction: Analyzing the Theme used in a Text

4. Before We’re Writers, We’re Readers by Randon Billings Noble

For children, the world of fact is riveting. Whether they are looking at a book about polar bears
in the Arctic or watching worms wriggle on the sidewalk, whether they are learning about faraway
galaxies or stargazing in the backyard, whether they are reading a biography of Newton or noticing the
way a penny sinks in a fountain, children are fascinated by the way the world works, both in life and on
the page. And sometimes their early reading has far-reaching effects.

For me, it was The Young Detective’s Handbook, by William Vivian Butler, which had the
intoxicating subtitle Learn How to Be a Super Sleuth: Send Secret Messages, Lift Fingerprints, Create
Disguises, and more. That book taught essential detecting skills, encouraged the formation of young-
detective clubs to pool knowledge and maximize crime-solving success, and combined playful exercises
with real-life tales of kids who cracked cases with little more than a pencil and their wits.

It taught me, an only child with an overreaching sense of curiosity, to be observant, to pay
attention, to remember, to investigate, and to write it all down. I never forgot. And these are the same
tools I use to write creative nonfiction today.

What is the theme of the text?

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5. Nostalgia and Rediscovery

In the summer of 1995, I embarked on a road trip to my childhood hometown. It had been over a
decade since I had last visited, and the memories of my formative years flooded back as I drove through
familiar streets.

As I strolled through the once-familiar parks and neighborhoods, I couldn't help but reminisce
about the carefree days of my youth. The old playground where I used to spend hours with friends, the
ice cream shop that had the best treats, and the treehouse in my backyard that I built with my father – all
these places held a special place in my heart.

During my journey, I reconnected with childhood friends, some of whom I hadn't seen since high
school. We laughed about our shared adventures and recalled the dreams we once had. It was a
bittersweet experience, as I realized how much had changed since I left my hometown to pursue a
different path in life.

What is the theme of the text?

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Creative Nonfiction: Analyzing the Theme used in a Text