theme

lesson or moral in a plot

man vs himself

man vs god

man vs man

man vs nature

crime doesnt pay

always overcome a challenge

friendship is sacrifice

always have your family

love conquers all

accept death

sacrifices brings rewards

humans are all the same

the central idea

message, meaning, life lesson, moral

is NOT the subject

what thw writer wishes to express

make generalizations

gives clues for you to complete and figure out

supporting evidence

opinions