DEVELOPING A
STATEMENT OF THEME
WHAT IS A THEME?
A theme is an author’s comment
on the human condition.
Most stories, plays, novels, and
poems have more than one
theme. Some works, like
mysteries, might be intended
primarily for entertainment and
do not have a clear theme.
A statement of theme
explains a key idea about an
abstract concept or topic
presented in a book—it is
WHAT THE AUTHOR IS
SAYING ABOUT THAT
ABSTRACT CONCEPT OR
TOPIC.
A strong theme statement
can be applied universally.
It does not relate only to the
plot of a book, vignette, poem,
or other piece of writing, but
it is also not so general that
it could be said about EVERY
book, vignette, poem, or other
piece of writing.
A theme is a meaning of a
piece of writing. A theme is
the statement an author is
making about an abstract
concept/topic.
To find theme:
1. Analyze the plot structure
2. Look for changes in character
3. Pick out symbols and
metaphors
WHAT IS A THEME NOT?
1. A theme is not ONE WORD. That is a topic.
Bad example 1: The theme was love. NOPE!
2. A theme is not a DEFINITION.
Bad example 2: Love is when someone has feelings
for someone else. NOPE!
3. A theme is not specifically about one story or
character; rather, it is universal.
Bad example 3: Greasers and Socs don’t get along.
NOPE!
4. A theme does not GIVE ADVICE.
Bad example 4: People should be nice to each other.
NOPE!
5. A theme is not written in 1st and/or 2nd person.
Bad example 5: I believe love is when you have
feelings for someone. NOPE!
6. A theme is not expressed as an adage or familiar
saying.
Bad example 6: Crime doesn’t pay. NOPE!
7. A theme is not too general or expressed in
overgeneralizations.
Bad example 7: Poverty always causes crime. NOPE!
A POSSIBLE THEME STATEMENT FOR
HOUSE ON MANGO STREET
Abstract concept/topic:
Hardships and obstacles in life
Beginning statement of theme:
Hardships and negative experiences
in life make a person stronger.
Obstacles can make people fall into
despair and stop trying.
How can these theme statements be strengthened?
Why are these statements weak?
1. These theme statements could be applied to
almost ANY novel.
2. They are not specific enough.
The key is to be as specific as possible without
adding plot details.
Think in terms of cause and effect.
Statement 1
Cause: What kind of hardships? What kind of
negative experiences? Make a more specific
category of hardships and negative experiences.
Effect: "Make a person stronger" is a
cliché. Exactly what happened as a result of
characters' hardships? Choose stronger
verbs. Consider exactly how the hardships made
people stronger.
When people are __________ hardships and
negative experiences caused by __________ can
make them stronger and
______________________________ to escape poverty
and create a better life.
(*Note: do not fill in the blanks with characters’
names or plot details. Use descriptive adjectives.)
Statement 2
Cause: what kind of obstacles? Again, provide a
more specific category that can be proven with
various textual examples. Also, you might be able
to specify what kind of person here. Not all
people fall into despair as a result of
hardship. (The book actually proves otherwise.)
Effect: again, think about exactly how the
obstacles destroyed characters.
Although __________ obstacles cause __________
people to fall into despair and give up, the same
__________ hardships and negative experiences
make ________ people stronger.
(*Note: do not fill in the blanks with characters’
names or plot details. Use descriptive adjectives.)
poor, hardships and negative
experiences caused by shame can make them
When people are
more determined to
stronger and
escape poverty and create a better life.
daily obstacles can cause some
unfortunate people to fall into despair and
give up, the same terrible hardships and
negative experiences make other
underprivileged people stronger.
Although
Now let’s put it all together in a statement of
theme for the entire book:
The novella House on Mango Street by Sandra
Cisneros is about the hardships and obstacles faced
by poor people and reveals that experiencing shame
can actually make people stronger and more
determined to escape poverty and create a better
life.
PRACTICING THEMATIC WRITING
Think back to the vignettes “Hairs” and “Boys &
Girls.”
Make a list of 5-10 things the vignettes have in
common.
STEP 1: FIND A MAIN TOPIC THAT IS
CONTAINED IN BOTH OF THE VIGNETTES.
CHOOSE ONE BELOW OR COME UP WITH YOUR
OWN!
COMMON TOPICS FOR THEMES INCLUDE:
Courage
Death
Escape
Family
Freedom
Friendship
Gender roles
Growing up
Hate
Honesty
Identity
Innocence
Justice
Love
Prejudice
Racism
Respect
Sacrifice
Self-definition
Stereotyping
Truth
Trust
Unhappiness
Violence
War
STEP 2: WRITE A STATEMENT BASED ON YOUR
TOPIC—WHAT IS SANDRA CISNEROS SAYING
ABOUT THE ABSTRACT CONCEPT/TOPIC OF
INNOCENCE?
Helpful reminders
 A THEME is a statement about a topic.
 Theme involves making a point about a
topic.
 A beginning statement of theme about the
abstract concept/topic of innocence might
be…
Innocence is an illusion
that only lasts as
long as childhood.
STEP 2: CONTINUED
SAMPLE
Topic: Innocence
Statement of theme: ______________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
STEP 2: CONTINUED
SAMPLE
Topic: Innocence
Statement of theme:
The vignette “Hairs” by Sandra Cisneros is about
innocence and reveals the special place a mother holds
in a child’s heart until that child grows up and doesn’t
need his or her mother so much anymore.
OR
The vignette “Boys & Girls” by Sandra Cisneros is about
innocence and reveals how some cultures have different
expectations for boys and girls, who then grow up to be
men and women who still must live by those sets of
expectations.
STEP 3: CHECK THAT YOUR THEMATIC
STATEMENT IS UNIVERSAL
Could this thematic statement apply to
everyone (in the world? in this
classroom?)
Where have you seen this theme in your
life? If you can’t relate, come up with a
situation you could encounter where you’d
observe this theme.
If you can relate, it’s probably universal!
STEP 5: GROUP WORK
1.
Share your thematic
statements with your group.
Decide which thematic
statement you think is
strongest or most easily
supported by the two
vignettes.
STEP 4: CONNECT YOUR THEMATIC
STATEMENT TO THE TEXT
1. Find a quote that supports your thematic
statement (don’t forget to record page
number).
2. Write 2-3 sentences of commentary
explaining HOW this quote supports your
thematic statement.