Note-taking

What is a Theme?

By now, you have already had some experience in Unit 1 and Unit 2 with identifying the theme (big idea) in short stories, poems, plays, and films.  This valuable skill helps you understand the message or purpose of a text.  The theme is the heart of any text. 

Rarely is the theme stated explicitly in a text, but if you have a clear understanding of what a theme is, you can craft a sentence (or two) that clearly states the theme.  Very often, the theme statement can help you write the thesis for an essay. 

Key Characteristics of Theme:

A Theme Is. . .	A Theme Is Not. . .
A theme is a statement about human nature or an insight into life.  Here’s a sample theme statement:  Relationship struggles often stem from a lack of effective communication.	A theme is not a topic.   A topic is the general subject of a text, such as “relationship struggles” or “addiction.”