I think of author's purpose as the PIE ingredients---persuade, inform, entertain. However, to me, the theme is entirely a different thing. I teach theme as the "subject" (for lack of a better word) that the author is trying to convey to the reader by either persuading, informing, or entertaining. The subjects for theme are things like friendship, honesty, responsibility, awareness of prejudice, effects of gossiping, bullying, etc. For example, I use Maniac Magee as a novel that entertains us, but the thematic purpose is to make us aware of homelessness, prejudices, racial discrimination, etc. Am I off track completely?
--- On Sun, 11/8/09, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Theme/author's message To: [email protected] Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009, 1:31 PM Maura Now I will muddy the waters a bit...our district says the author's purpose is one of three things...she writes to inform, to entertain or to persuade. Authors message and theme are used interchangeably. Jennifer In a message dated 11/8/2009 1:02:29 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: This inquiry was perfectly timed for me. Next week we will be focusing on the author's purpose and then finishing up the book and learning about theme. I am interested on hearing what others think about these topics! Maura _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
