Theme

While preparing for and playing Theme, the players learn to research a particular historical theme that varies from year to year and to prepare notes and study materials about that theme. Examples of past themes include “Women in World History,” “The 1960’s,” “The American West,” and “Space Exploration.” Players learn how the events in the theme affected people at the time and how those issues still affect them today. The knowledge gained from playing Theme leads to more informed and responsible future citizens.

Elementary Division (grade 6 and below) and Middle Division (grades 7-8) questions are composed with easier language than for the Junior and Senior Divisions (grades 9-12). In the high school divisions, the historical and political events referred to are more demanding.

The topic for Theme in 2023 was The Cold War.

Theme is a question and response game. Students sit in groups of three or four for purposes of checking each other’s answers and keeping score. Many such groups may be playing simultaneously in the same room.

There are two rounds for the Theme topics. One round is the Lightning Round. 18 questions are read by a central reader. The point values of each question are determined ahead of time (2, 4 or 6). Players score the point value for a correct answer and zero (0) for an incorrect answer.