This document provides instructions for writing a theme statement by explaining that a theme is not the same as a topic covered in a work, and walks through the process of identifying topics in a work and turning one of those topics into a theme statement by stating what the author is trying to convey about that topic through their work.

1. Writing a Theme Statement

2. This is not the theme
of the story:
Love

3. This is not the theme
of the story:
Family

4. This is not the theme
of the story:
Good vs.
Evil

5. 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

6. 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!

7. 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”

8. 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?

9. 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.”

10. 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.”

11. 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.”

12. Step 4: Make sure
your statement is
not vague!
“The author shows that family is
good.”
Too vague!
(Why is family good?)

13. 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.”

14. 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.”

15. 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!

16. 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!

17. 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.