DIET an economy of terms to teach theme

Dignity
Integrity
Empathy
Tolerance

These four terms can be used to help students nail down the nebulous "themes" in literary works.  Not to be reductionist, but the absence or denial, or the redemptive presence of any of these four qualities in literary works are the influences that must come to bear if conflicts are to be reported accurately or resolved literarily.

When I ask student to find the major claim in a text, they know that theme is synonymous with claim in fictional texts.  They are ready to analyze in a way that reflects deep comprehension of an author's message, in both fictional and nonfictional texts.

Students are asked to study these DIET terms independently for an initial period of time.  I give credit, but don't take credit away for non compliance.  Then I start referring to the terms in class, in the context of the popular 8-Target Hunting comprehension task students learn and seem to enjoy year after year.  Students want to learn the terms, and are now given some texts to help them along.

The following is an example of a text I would use at this point in a year's curriculum.

Charity

Doing for another what he or she cannot do without your help

Tolerance is an act of charity.

Some of us feel hard pressed to tolerate the RNC, the DNC and the whole political process.  Our feelings can be discouraging, but we can try not to feel bad.

1.     We can come to terms with the inevitability of corruption and suffering little people endure at the hands of the government.

2.     We can be restrained and say little when our friends spew hatefulness on any one, candidate or not.

3.     We can meet anger, dishonesty and even danger with dignity.

4.     We can be kind and not judge those who cannot themselves be kind and nonjudgmental.

What about tolerating people who are different, say younger or older?

Some of us feel that we need to fix people, help them grow up or grow old, according to our own ideas of what it means to be a little person or a little old person.  The problem is:

1.     Everyone has a unique experience of life

2.     Your opinions grow out of your experiences

3.     Opinions can be helpful, but there’s no sure fit when giving your opinions to others

Accepting the rough spots between you and others who are younger or older than you is a way to demonstrate tolerance.

Forcing charity on someone who doesn’t need it can be insulting.  Patronization and condescension deprive others of their independence, their dignity. 

Anonymous acts of charity might be helpful when someone really needs help but is too proud to ask or accept it.

Charity is karma.  Everyone is on the wheel, giving and taking as long as they exist. Charity is good karma.