ThemeA broad idea, message, or moral of a story. The

message may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly.

Three Levels of Reading• Reading on the line• Reading between the lines• Reading beyond the lines

Level One: Reading on the Line• Finds meaning directly in the text• Answers “Who?” “What?” “When?” and “Where?”

a. Write the most significant word from the part of the work assigned.

b. Quote the entire sentence in which the word appears. Document the source of the quotation in parenthesis.

c. Write multiple dictionary definitions of the word.d. Place the word in the context of the narrative. (What is

going on in this part of the story?)

The OutsidersBy S.E. Hinton

“Johnnycake?” he said in a hoarse voice.“Johnny?”Johnny stirred weakly, then opened his eyes. “Hey,” he managed softly.“We won,” Dally panted. “We beat the Socs. We stomped them – chased them outa

our territory.”Johnny didn’t even try to grin at him. “Useless…fighting’s not good…” He was awful

white.Dally licked his lips nervously. “They’re still writing editorials about you in the paper.

For being a hero and all.” He was talking too fast and too calmly. “Yeah, they’re calling you a hero now and heroizin’ all the greasers. We’re all proud of you, buddy.”

Johnny’s eyes glowed. Dally was proud of him. That was all Johnny had ever wanted.

“Ponyboy.”I barely heard him. I came closer and leaned over to hear what he was going to say.

“Stay gold Ponyboy. Stay gold…” The pillow seemed to sink a little, and Johnny died.

The OutsidersBy S.E. Hinton

Territory:1. Any tract of land; region or district.2. A field or sphere of action, thought, etc.; domain or province of something.Fighting:1. Tending or meant to stir up a fight or hostility: fighting words.2. A battle or combat.

Hero: 1. A person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his or her brave deeds and noble qualities.2. A person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.

Proud: 1.feeling pleasure or satisfaction over something regarded as highly honorable or creditable to oneself.2.having, proceeding from, or showing a high opinion of one's own dignity, importance, or superiority.3.having or showing self-respect or self-esteem.

Gold: 1. A quantity of gold coins: to pay in gold.2. A monetary standard based on this metal; gold standard. 4.money;wealth;riches.3. Something likened to this metal in brightness, preciousness, superiority, etc.: a heart of gold.

The OutsidersBy S.E. Hinton

Hero: 1. A person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his or her brave deeds and noble qualities.2. A person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.

Ponyboy and Dally are visiting Johnny in the hospital after the rumble, and Johnny is dying.

“They’re still writing editorials about you in the paper. For being a hero and all” (148).

Level Two: Reading Between the Lines

• Interpret what is in the text.• What does the key passage represent, suggest, or

personify?

a. Referring to the text, draw four images from the reading.

b. Write an explanation of the link between each image and the word you have written in the innermost circle.

Darry could be considered a hero for giving up his education and future to support his brothers and keep their family together.

While reading “Gone with the Wind,” Johnny talks about seeing Dally as a kind of hero for his gallantness; Dally reminds him of the southern gentlemen in the book.

Cherry acts bravely and heroic, standing up to Dally and defending Johnny and Pony Boy even though she’s a Soc.

Johnny and Pony Boy are considered heroes after saving the kids from the burning church.

Hero:1. A person of distinguished courage or ability …

Level Three: Reading Beyond the Lines

• Move beyond the text to connect to universal meaning.

• “How does this connect with my life?”• “What kind of perceptions about life in general is the

author communicating to me?”

Write two thematic statements drawn from the significant word you wrote in the innermost circles and the images you drew in the middle circle. Tie everything to the work as a whole.

It’s not easy to be a hero.

There’s many different ways to be a hero.

Hero…

Johnny and Pony Boy...

While reading…

Cherry acts bravely …

Darry could be …

The OutsidersBy S. E. Hinton

The Three Levels of Reading for The Miracle Worker

• Level One: Reading on the Linesa. Write the most significant word from one of the sections of The Miracle Worker.b. Quote the entire sentence in which the word appears. Document the source of the quotation in parenthesis. c. Write multiple dictionary definitions of the word.d. Place the word in the context of the narrative. (What is going on in this part of the story?)

• Level Two: Reading Between the Linesa. Referring to the text, draw four images from the reading.b. Write an explanation of the link between each image and the word you have written in the innermost circle.

• Level Three: Reading Beyond the LinesWrite two thematic statements drawn from the significant word you wrote in the innermost circles and the images you drew in the middle circle. Tie everything to the work as a whole.