The document discusses what theme is and how to identify it in a work of fiction. It states that theme is the central insight or controlling idea that an author aims to convey, and exists when a story attempts to accurately portray life or reveal some truth about it. To find theme, one can analyze how the protagonist changes, the central conflict and its resolution, and whether the title has significant meaning. When writing about theme, it should be expressed as a generalization about life rather than using character names or story specifics, and avoid absolute terms like "every" or "always." Theme statements must be supported by and not contradicted by the story's details.

1. Theme

2. What is a Theme? Theme is the message that the author is trying to convey to the reader. Theme is the central insight or controlling idea of a piece of fiction.

3. Themes Not all stories have themes. Sometimes the author’s purpose is just to elicit an emotional response from a reader.

4. Theme? Theme exists when: An author has made a serious attempt to record life accurately or to reveal some truth about it. An author has deliberately introduced as a unifying element some concept or theory of life that the story illustrates.

5. How Do You Find Theme? Although there is no one way to discover theme, asking some questions may help: Has the protagonist changed? If so, what have they learned? What was the central conflict? How was it resolved? What does that say about the world? Does the title have significant meaning?

6. Writing About Theme Theme should always be expressed in a complete sentence. Bad: Motherhood Good: Motherhood sometimes has more frustrations than rewards. Bad: Love Good: Love often causes us to do things we wouldn’t normally do.

7. Writing About Theme Theme should be stated as a generalization about life Don’t use character names and story specifics Good: “Often redemption comes with the confession and acceptance of responsibility for a wrongdoing.” Bad: “Hester Prynne by confessing her sin and accepting responsibility finds redemption.”

8. Writing About Theme Be careful that you don’t make your generalization larger than what is warranted by the story. Terms like every, all, never, always should be avoided. Use some, often, frequently instead. Good: “A person whose honesty and tolerance have often made her susceptible to the strong will of others may reach a point where she stands up for herself or others. Bad: “Habitually compliant and tolerant mothers eventually stand up to their children.

9. Writing About Theme Theme statements must be supported by the story. It must account for all of the major details of the story. If there is a significant event that doesn’t fit into our theme, than we may not have fully explored the author’s intent. It cannot be contradicted by any detail of the story. If there is an event that doesn’t seem to fit, again we may not have fully understood the author’s intent. It cannot rely on supposed facts – facts not actually stated or clearly implied by the story.

10. Writing About Theme Remember that there is no one way of stating theme. Many stories have multiple layers of theme. There are many ways of getting at a similar idea. “Sometimes those who have the least education actually understand the most about life. Frequently, people will only tolerate abuse to a certain point before they stand up for themselves or others. The relationships between mothers and daughters is frequently strained and full of misunderstanding.

11. Writing About Theme Avoid (like the plague) using clichés as theme statements. Although these are often accurate, they undercut what you are trying to say by making your point seem hackneyed. “One good turn deserves another.” “Spare the rod and spoil the child” “Confession is good for the soul”