Writing a Thematic Statement  Theme-Central message of a literary work.  IT IS NOT: the subject, which can be expressed in one or two words.

Example  If love is a topic/subject of two novels, a major theme in the novels could be: “Love, if taken to extremes, can be negative rather than positive,” while in the other novel, the theme might be: “Love can conquer even the greatest evil.”  Notice that the topic/subject is the same, but the message about that topic/subject are different in different works.

ONE WORD THEMES….. a big no-no!!  A theme is a meaning of work.  Yes, there can be more than one “meaning.”  Can the meaning of a work be love? Hate? Greed? NO—it makes no sense!! Those are just topics, not themes.  THE THEME IS THE STATEMENT THAT THE AUTHOR IS MAKING ABOUT A TOPIC!

Stating the theme of a work in literature:  Begin by using several abstract words to state the principal ideas of a work (topics that the piece is really about.  Abstract words describe concepts or ideas that exist only in our minds like: –Alienation –Prejudice –Ambition, freedom, loyalty, passion, ect.

Stating the theme-Continued  Combine those abstract ideas with comments that reflect the author’s observation about human nature, the human condition, or human motivation.  In other words, what is the author saying about the abstract idea?

Avoiding Common Mistakes…  A theme is NOT a moral, directive, or an order (these tell us how to behave or what to do).  Themes are NOT short clichés. While themes are often stated in one sentence, they can be written in two or more sentences that reflect the complexity of life echoed in a work of literature.  Themes do NOT refer to specific names or events.  Themes avoid absolute terms such as: all, none, everything, and always because they indicate sloppy thinking.

EXAMPLE of a theme statement :  Answer the following question in 1-3 words: – What is “______(title of work) ________ “about?  Complete the next 2 steps: – What does _________ say/believe about ________?  (In the first blank, insert the author’s name. In the second blank, insert what you answered for step # 1)

Example of a theme statement  Answer the above question in this format : (Author) believes/says that…….  (Insert the author’s name in the blank and then complete the sentence.)

Theme statement  Cross out the first three words from the sentence you have just completed above.  Coffin believes that friendship provides a sense of peace and joy to a person…..  Take out the first three words and you have your theme statement: Friendship provides a sense of peace and joy to people.