The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Without the full context of what the student wrote, it is impossible to definitively select the correct answer. However, the question hinges on the precise definitions of these four literary terms. The key to solving this is often understanding the crucial difference between a topic and a theme.
Here is an explanation of each term to help you identify the correct choice.
A character is a person, animal, or being who takes part in the action of a story. If the student identified a name like “Harry Potter” or a description like “the brave knight,” they identified a character.
The plot is the sequence of events in a story. It is the “what happens” of the narrative, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. If the student described a series of actions, such as “the wolf blew down the first two pigs’ houses but could not blow down the third,” they identified the plot.
The most common area of confusion is between a topic and a theme. A topic is the general subject matter of a work and can typically be expressed in a single word or a short phrase. Examples of topics include “war,” “love,” “friendship,” or “betrayal.” A topic is broad and does not convey a specific message.
A theme, in contrast, is the underlying message or main idea that the author is trying to convey about the topic. It is a complete thought or a statement about life, society, or human nature. For example, if the topic of a story is “love,” a possible theme could be “True love requires sacrifice and understanding.” The theme is the argument or insight the author presents.
To determine the correct answer, look at what the student identified. If it was a single word like “courage,” it is a topic. If it was a full sentence with a message, like “Courage is not the absence of fear, but acting in spite of it,” then it is a theme.
