Writing a Theme Statement

This is not the theme of the story:

Love

This is not the theme of the story:

Family

This is not the theme of the story:

Good vs. Evil

These are not themes, these are TOPICS.

• Love• Family• Good vs. Evil• Friendship• Trust• Courage• Survival• Identity• Death

• Justice• Freedom• Dreams• Oppression• Change• Growing Up• Acceptance• Guilt• Seeking Truth

These are not themes, these are TOPICS.

• Love• Family• Good vs. Evil• Friendship• Trust• Courage• Survival• Identity• Death

• Justice• Freedom• Dreams• Oppression• Change• Growing Up• Acceptance• Guilt• Seeking Truth

But, a topic can TURN ITNO a theme!

Step 1: Topics turn into themes, so after you

finish a text, make a list of topics you believe the

text focused on.

“Being true to yourself"

“Friendship”“Overcoming adversity”

“Honesty”

Step 2: Pick ONE of the topics and write

one sentence that answers this question:

What is the author trying to show us about this topic?

If you pick “being true to yourself” as the topic,

your sentence might look something like this:“The author shows that being

true to yourself is the only way to find happiness with people who

accept you.”

Step 3: Optionally, take off the “the

author shows that” part of the sentence.

“The author shows that being true to yourself is the only way to find happiness with people who

accept you.”

Step 3: Optionally, take off the “the

author shows that” part of the sentence.

“Being true to yourself is the only way to find happiness with people who accept you.”

Step 4: Make sure your statement is

not vague!“The author shows that family is

good.”

Too vague! (Why is family good?)

Step 4: Make sure your statement is

not vague!“The author shows that family

will support you even when they don’t agree with you.”

Step 4: Make sure your statement is

not vague!“The author shows that if you

don’t stay close with your family, you will end up missing out on

meaningful relationships.”

Remember! Themes are about life and

what it means to be human.

“The author shows that small fish tend to be eaten by larger fish.”

Bad!

Remember! Themes are about life and

what it means to be human.

“The author shows that even the smallest and weakest people can overcome great obstacles with the

help of friends.”

Good!

Practice:Directions: Watch the short film. As you watch, make a list of topics the story focuses on.

When the video ends, pick one topic from your list, and answer the following question:

“What is the author trying to show us about this topic?”

Write your answer as a 1-sentence statement.