Writing Thematic Statements



Writing Thematic Statements

(A Step-By-Step Process)

1. Using 1-3 abstract words, explain what the short story/play/novel is about. (use your ABSTRACT TOPICS handout!) Use words that express human conditions/emotions. These are often abstract words such as hope, love, security, faith, gratitude, et al.

For Example: What is The Great Gatsby about?

Answer: disillusion, corruption, greed, obsession, ambition

2. Explain in a one (or more) complete and detailed sentences what the author believes the work is about.

For Example: F. Scott Fitzgerald believes that the quest to obtain an obsession results in a moral vacuum and a hollow life of disillusionment.

3. Cross out the first three words:

For Example: The quest to obtain an obsession results in a moral vacuum and a hollow life of disillusionment.

4. Academically fine-tune the sentence(s) (i.e. no first/second person pronouns-I, me, my, we, us, you, your). Provide a main clause and subordinate clause in your thematic statement.

For Example: The compulsion to pursue an obsession requires moral ambiguity, which can only lead to hollow disillusionment.

WHEN FORMULATING A THEMATIC STATEMENT:

A. Avoid clichéd sayings (ex. “Never give up” or “Love conquers all”)

If it can be found on a t-shirt or bumper sticker, it’s not the best choice for an AP thematic statement!

B. Be careful not to make your theme too PREACHY or judgmental (ex. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” and “Always be friendly.” Avoid absolutes and never use “never” or “should” or “ought to” or “always.”

C. Theme is NOT a SUMMARY of the book/play/poem/story!

D. Theme should reflect the work AS A WHOLE not just isolated events!

Name _____________________________________ Date ______________ Period _____

1. Using 1-3 abstract words, explain what the story is about. (use your ABSTRACT TOPICS handout!) Use words that express human conditions/emotions. These are often abstract words such as hope, love, security, faith, gratitude, et al.

1.______________________ 2. _______________________3. _______________________

2. Explain in a one complete and detailed sentence what the author believes the work is about.

Fitzgerald believes that/the story conveys that __________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Cross out the beginning words through “that”:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Academically fine-tune the sentence (i.e. no first/second person pronouns-I, me, my, we, us, you, your). Provide a main clause and subordinate clause in your thematic statement.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Now that you’ve derived a thematic idea from the text, you will need to support your assertion with evidence from the story itself. Provide 3 specific examples from the text on the lines below that would support your thematic statement. Ask yourself: How do I know this is the universal message of the story?

1. _____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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