Thematic
Interpretation
Learning Outcomes
At the completion, you’ll be able to …
¾ explain the “T” in the EROT model of interpretive
communication
Making a difference
on purpose!
¾ explain what thematic interpretation is and why it
makes sense to practice it
¾ give examples of themes and know how to write
your own
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
Learning Outcomes (cont.)
© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
Interpretation Has Four
Essential Qualities
(Ham-Weiler EROT Model)
And, you’ll be able to …
¾ think thematically
¾ generate ideas for new or enhanced thematic
interpretive programs
¾ develop thematic tours and other presentations
¾ tell another person what you learned
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
1. Interpretation is enjoyable.
2. Interpretation is relevant.
-- meaningful
-- personal
3. Interpretation is organised.
4. Interpretation is thematic.
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
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Ham-Weiler EROT Model of
Interpretive Communication
Think Thematically
¾ Based on two centuries of research
¾ When all four qualities are in place,
Theme ≠ Topic
“successful” communication is almost
guaranteed
¾ “Success” means that visitors pay attention
and get the point (theme)
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
Communicating Themes
Has a Purpose!
¾ People remember themes; they forget
isolated facts. You’re a walking, lifelong
accumulation of learned themes!
¾ Having a theme helps YOU prepare.
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
Communicating Themes
Has a Purpose!
¾ Themes are beliefs; beliefs are the building
blocks of attitudes and behaviour.
¾ Having an interesting theme almost
guarantees an interesting presentation.
¾ Thinking thematically unleashes your
creativity!
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
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So why is it important
to be thematic?
A Theme is a Message
¾
If you want to make a difference / want people to internalize
and remember what you said.
¾
People forget isolated facts, they remember themes.
¾
It makes your preparation easier / more focused.
¾ It’s the “big picture.”
¾
It makes the visitor’s job easier.
¾ It answers the question “So What?”
¾
If you want to influence behaviour: themes are beliefs, and
beliefs are the building blocks of attitudes and behavior. By
communicating themes, you are planting seeds (beliefs) that
can ultimately influence (reinforce or change) how people
think, feel and behave.
¾ It answers the question “Big Deal?”
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
Themes are Whole Ideas
¾ They are expressed in complete declarative
sentences.
¾ Complete sentences have a subject and
verb.
¾ A complete declarative sentence ends with
a full stop.
¾ It’s the moral to the story.
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
An Alternative—
Think BIG DEAL
Complete the following sentence in as many
ways as you can:
“When it comes to my topic, I think it is really,
really, REALLY important for this audience to
understand that ________________.”
(theme)
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
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Anyone Can Write an Interesting
Theme
¾
Make them personal
¾ Connect with things of intangible
• Build in the personal word “you”
• Link to things your audience cares about
“Six different kinds of snakes live here.”
“Six different kinds of snakes live here, and
knowing which is which could be very useful,
specially when you’re walking.”
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Anyone Can Write an Interesting
Theme
© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
Anyone Can Write an Interesting
Theme
symbolic importance.
“How rivers are born is fascinating.”
“The birth of a river is as fascinating and mysterious
as the birth of a human.”
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
Anyone Can Write an Interesting
Theme
¾ Incorporate an analogy.
¾ Incorporate a metaphor.
“The plumbing system of an active volcano contains
both heat and gas pressure.”
“Chuck Berry did a lot to advance rock ‘n roll.”
“To understand what goes on in an active volcano’s
plumbing system, you need only think of a
pressure cooker and an agitated bottle of
champagne.”
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
“Chuck Berry was the architect of rock ‘n roll.”
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
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Anyone Can Write an Interesting
Theme
Anyone Can Write an Interesting
Theme
¾ Try to build the active voice into verbs.
¾ Try to avoid the verb “to be.”
“This desert landscape was created by harsh winds
and drought.”
“This building is a hundred years old.”
“Harsh winds and drought created this desert
landscape.”
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
Ways to Make Your Guided
Activities Thematic
¾ Think themes, not topics.
¾ Think full-sentences, not parts of sentences.
¾ Think “big deal” – what message you really want
your visitors to take home that day.
¾ Apply E & R to make your themes more powerful.
•
•
•
•
make them personal
connect them things of symbolic importance
use an analogy or metaphor
use verbs in active voice & avoid “to be”
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
“These walls tell a hundred-year story.”
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
Applying the EROT Model
Practised as TORE:
¾ Your theme always comes first
¾ Now organise into 4 or fewer sub-themes
¾ Now make it relevant and enjoyable for your
audience
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
5
Theme Writing Exercise
1
Improve each of the following theme statements:
¾
¾
¾
“Wildlife around here face a lot of dangers.”
“Marsupials are a diverse group of animals.”
“South Australian birds are fascinating.”
Summary of Module
We hope you’ve learned that …
¾ Practicing thematic interpretation is important. Theme ≠
topic!
2
Write your own topic and three themes related to
it.
¾ Interpretation has its most profound impact on visitors
3
Select one theme above and develop 4 or fewer
sub-themes that support it.
¾ Thematic interpretation is not just entertaining fact-
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
Summary of Module
And that …
giving. It is “meaning making” in an ERO way!
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
Summary of Module
And finally, that …
¾ Starting with a strong global theme and interesting sub-
themes almost guarantees an interesting presentation.
¾ It’s easy to write a boring theme. But writing a strong
theme takes time and practice. Still, anyone can do it with
a little practice.
¾ The group can put magic in the message! Involve others
in your thematic thinking.
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when a compelling theme is left in the visitor’s mind. This
is the purpose of interpretation.
¾ The best themes are those that emanate from your
passion and take advantage of your personal knowledge
and style.
¾ In thematic interpretation, “success” = TORE. Once you
have a strong theme, you’re ready to create (adding the O,
R, and E).
¾ Interpreters who want to make a difference in how people
think, feel and behave with respect to heritage, practice
thematic interpretation.
© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
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© 2003 Sam H. Ham & Betty Weiler, University of Idaho & Monash University
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