1. Developing a Thesis

2. Theme Theme – universal truth
What big ideas is the author dealing with?
What does the author reveal about life or about the human condition?

3. “Big Ideas” in To Kill a Mockingbird
Tolerance
Courage
Hypocrisy
Education
Respect
Prejudice/Inequality
Family Background
Innocence
Growing Up
Justice/Injustice

4. Thematic or Universal Level Reading Beyond the Lines
Identify the Subject
Turn the Subject into a Question
Subject/”Big Idea”: Tolerance
Question: Why is it important to see things from another person’s point of view?
Subject/”Big Idea”: Loss of Innocence
Question: What causes a loss of innocence?

5. Examples of thematic statements
Seeing things from other people’s perspective is important because it promotes tolerance.
Loss of innocence is moving from the assumption that people are naturally good to the more adult perspective gained from confronting evil.
Ignorance is often at the root of trouble.
Hardship is necessary to the development of one’s character.
Someone of extraordinary strength is often needed to step forward when others hesitate.

6. Check your thematic statement:
Use a declarative sentence.
Avoid clichés (What goes around, comes around; love conquers all, etc.)
Avoid moralizations (ought, to, should, must, good, bad, right, wrong, etc.) These create morals of the story or lessons that should be learned, not themes.
Keep it universal (relates to anybody, anywhere, any time.)
Be sure it reflects the “big idea about life that the author wants us to think about.”
Double check that this could also apply to other works of literature.

7. Examples of what theme is not…
Loss of Innocence = “Big Idea”
Level 2 – Novel Related
In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout’s innocence is lost as she faces the truth about human nature.
In her encounters with Mayella, Bob Ewell, and Mrs. Gates, Scout faces the truth about human nature,
Level 3 – Cliché
Facing the truth about human nature allows you to grow and change

8. Evidence: think in 3’s
Find three examples in the novel where your theme is evident.
Example:
Theme: Seeing things from other people’s perspective is important because it promotes tolerance.
Evidence #1: Scout understands Miss Caroline’s actions at school after Atticus explains that she is new to town and doesn’t understand “Maycomb’s ways” yet.
Evidence #2: Scout sees things from Bob Ewell’s point of view after Atticus explains why Bob reacted as he did after the trial.
Evidence #3: Scout is able to see things from Boo’s point of view while standing on his porch after walking him home.

9. Evidence: think in 3’s
Theme: Loss of innocence is moving from the assumption that people are naturally good to the more adult perspective gained from confronting evil.
Evidence #1: Mayella lies on the stand during the trial.
Evidence #2: Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout for revenge against Atticus.
Evidence #3: Racism in Maycomb, as seen in Mrs. Gates’ comment.

10. Thesis Statement Example for Expository Essay:
A thesis statement includes three things:
a subject
an opinion
a preview of your essay (often in 3's)
Example for Expository Essay:
Dedication, hard work, and perseverance are essential to success.
Television has a positive effect because it helps you learn; it gives you information from all over the world, and it allows you to relax.

12. Expository Essay
Expository – explain your THESIS (opinion) with examples
Intro
Middle
End
LEAD +
Thesis
Example(s)
Conclusion

14. A Character Wants Something
Literary Essay
Literature – novel, poem, drama, short story,
Tell a STORY
Beginning
Middle
End
LEAD
A Character Wants Something
Overcomes Conflict/
Problems
To Get It (or Not)

15. Literary Analysis Thesis Statement
TAG – Title, Author, Genre of your Text
Technique – what did you notice about the author’s choice of/use of…?
diction, imagery, symbols, motifs, archetypes, allusions, characters, etc.
Task (or purpose) of the technique – what is the technique accomplishing in the text?
Theme – an interpretive statement that links the technique to what the author is expressing about life or the human condition

16. Literary Analysis Thesis Statement
TAG – Title, Author, Genre of your Text
Technique – diction, imagery, symbols, motifs, archetypes, allusions, characters, etc.
Task (or purpose) of the technique – what is the technique accomplishing in the text?
Theme – what is the author revealing about life or the human condition?
In Richard Selzer’s essay “The Knife,” he uses images of exploration to expresses his sense of wonder and excitement about his profession. Although explorers fear the unknown danger of their task, they must summon all their courage to reach their objective.

17. An analytical thesis statement includes: includes three things:
A thesis statement
An analytical thesis statement includes:
includes three things:
a subject
In TAG, the author uses TECHNIQUE to TASK, revealing THEME
an opinion
a preview of your essay
Technique and “Big Idea” = subject of your paper.
Task and thematic statement = your opinion and interpretation
A strong analytical thesis statement might preview the evidence

18. Thesis Statement
In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout’s innocence is lost as she confronts lies, attacks, and racism in the town of Maycomb. In her encounters with Mayella, Bob Ewell, and Mrs. Gates, Scout faces the truth about human nature, illustrating loss of innocence is moving from the assumption that people are naturally good to the more adult perspective gained from confronting evil.

19. Literary Analysis Paper Prompts:
Many authors use the archetype of the hero’s journey to show the transformation of a character. Write an essay analyzing how the journey functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole.
Prompt 2:
Focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole.
Create Your Own Prompt:
Write an essay analyzing how the author uses _____________ to
TECHNIQUE
develop_____________ revealing the theme of _______ in the work.
TASK/PURPOSE THEME

20. Title * Author * Genre
TAG PRACTICE

21. Literary Analysis Reflection Letter
Letter Format – Dear Ms. Goss, Date, Etc. I’m most proud of… I notice in reading only my Thesis and Topic Sentences that… In providing me feedback, please focus on… Please don’t focus on…because I know I didn’t…

22. Genre * Title * Author
The __________ Title by ______________... Genre Author’s Name The sci-fiction novel Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card depicts a future world where children are trained in the art of war to protect the earth against an alien species.

23. Make the Author the Subject
In the __________ Title, _______________ verb Genre Author’s Name In the sci-fiction novel Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card depicts a future world where Ender Wiggins, a young child soldier, is the hope of the Earth against an alien species.

24. Author * Genre * Title
In ______________’s _____________ Title, Author’s Name Genre In Orson Scott Card’s sci-fiction novel Ender’s Game, Ender Wiggins is recruited to Battle School in an attempt to save the earth against an alien species.