1. Theme
The important thing!

2. What is a “theme”? A theme is a universal statement
Social
Criticism
A theme is a universal statement
It reflects the HUMAN CONDITION
Ofttimes, the theme is the author’s critique of society

3. Human Condition
There are certain things that every human experiences, independent of culture
Seven deadly sins, seven virtues are a great place to start
If you don’t know them, research them!

4. How do I find the theme? Literary elements in a text Tone/Mood
Metaphors
Motifs
Symbols
Shifts
Plot
These are just a few; by paying attention to literary techniques an author uses, a theme or possible themes should begin to emerge!

5. Be Careful!
A theme is NOT the “moral of the story” or commands (though it might be related)!
Make sure you don’t talk to strangers.
Themes are NOT one-word statements (love, hate, etc.)
Those are motifs!
The theme of Romeo and Juliet is forbidden love.
Themes do NOT include specifics from the story
The theme is how Cinderella overcomes hate…
Themes are NOT clichés
The theme is that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Themes do NOT use absolutes (words like always, never, every, all, no one, etc.)
Those are easy to disprove

6. So…what DOES a theme statement look like?
T.A.G. (include the title, author, and genre)
Statement of the human condition
What is the author trying to say about humanity?
Present tense
Talk about literature as if it is going on right now
Third-person only!

7. Um, can I see some examples of that?
Theme statement from a novel:
In the science fiction novel Ready Player One, author Ernest Cline shows how courage allows even average people to accomplish unbelievable feats despite all odds.
How does this employ all of the elements of a good theme statement?
T.A.G. (include the title, author, and genre)
Statement of the human condition
He’s talking about courage, something every human has experience with
Present tense
“shows”, “allows”… notice it DIDN’T SAY “showed” or “allowed”!
Third-person only!
None of that “I”, “You”, “We” stuff

8. Um, can I see some examples of that?
Theme statement from a movie:
In the major motion picture Across the Universe, director Julie Taymor illustrates how sympathetic companionship can help a person overcome even the toughest times.
How does this employ all of the elements of a good theme statement?
T.A.G. (include the title, author, and genre)
Statement of the human condition
She’s showing about companionships, which every human experiences!
Present tense
“illustrates”, “can help”…
Third-person only!
None of that “I”, “You”, “We” stuff

9. Um, can I see some examples of that?
Theme statement from a poem:
“We Real Cool”, a poem by Gwendolyn Brooks, uses only eight short lines to reflect that choosing an identity with a rough lifestyle can ultimately lead to an early demise.
How does this employ all of the elements of a good theme statement?
T.A.G. (include the title, author, and genre)
Statement of the human condition
She’s showing about choosing one’s identity!
Present tense
“uses”, “can ultimately lead”…
Third-person only!
None of that “I”, “You”, “We” stuff

10. Um, can I see some examples of that?
Theme statement from a song:
Kurt Cobain’s haunting song “Pennyroyal Tea” shows how putting on a façade of comportment can’t change the fact that inside, a person can still be degenerate.
How does this employ all of the elements of a good theme statement?
T.A.G. (include the title, author, and genre)
Statement of the human condition
He’s talking about putting on an act; all humans can relate to that!
Present tense
“shows”, “can’t change”…
Third-person only!
None of that “I”, “You”, “We” stuff

11. Some reminders: There can be many themes in one piece!
Titles of major works (albums, movies, novels, plays) are italicized or underlined.
Ready Player One, Across the Universe, Romeo and Juliet, The White Album, The Witcher 3
Titles of minor works (songs, short stories, poems, chapter titles) are in “quotes”.
“We Real Cool”, “Pennyroyal Tea”, “The Lottery”
The order of your T.A.G. doesn’t matter! Look back at your examples; what do you notice?

12. Test yourself: What’s wrong with this theme statement?
The Hunger Games is a major work and should be underlined or highlighted
Missing genre (novel, dystopian novel, book, etc.)
Could be worded more smoothly:
The Hunger Games, a dystopian novel by Suzanne Collins, reveals that a community is strongest when the people in it work together.