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. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.
Related download
- chapter review sheet great gatsby chapters 1 and 2
- writing thematic statements
- this document is used in the pre ap ap classroom
- structure and focus of the socratic seminar
- themes in the truman show
- loudoun county public schools overview
- the search for principles of disaster management
- sample literary thesis statements
Related searches
- global thematic essay topics
- global regents thematic essay topics
- global regents thematic essay review
- global regents thematic essay examples
- regents thematic essay outline
- global regents thematic essay rubric
- us history regents thematic essays
- us regents thematic essay topics
- outline for thematic essay
- thematic essay example
- thematic essay outline template
- writing mission statements for nonprofits