Writing Thematic Statement - Intro, Steps & Examples

One of the most important parts of academic writing and literature is a thematic statement. This one or two-sentence description expresses what themes are explored in this work, but it's not always an essay task.

To write strong thematic statements, it’s important to fully understand what they are and how they differ from other related elements of writing. This blog will help break it all down for you! 

So let’s dive in!

What is a Thematic Statement?

Thematic statements are sentences that express a central message of the writing. They can come as one sentence, but often they will span to two or more sentences because there is usually so much information about the theme in any given work. It needs time for all points to be raised before concluding with what stands out most from reading.

A thematic statement is a way to explain the main ideas or themes of your essay. It helps you identify what you will discuss and how it connects to the characters or plot. 

While themes are common in literature, they can vary depending on the reader's perspective. What one person sees in a story, another might interpret differently.

Thematic Statement Definition

“It is a central message of a literary work that the author wants to convey about the subject.”

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Purpose of Thematic Statement

The thematic statement is a summary of the whole work. It aims to give readers an idea about what this literary piece will be like before they read it in full while also giving insight into its main message and theme.

It provides some background information on how exactly the writer has constructed their text so that you can understand where I'm coming from with my argumentation when reading aloud later at your destination.

Thematic Statement vs. Theme

Theme and thematic statement are two fundamental concepts in literature.

• The theme is the message a writer wants to convey through their work, while the thematic statement provides context for understanding what this means (i.e., it tells you about the theme).
• A theme is a thought or idea that the writer wants to say. A thematic statement tells you what that theme is or gives you more info about it if you did not know it already. 
• A thematic statment might have more than one theme, but there's always something behind those themes without it being said outright. That means don't just read the surface-level information!

Thematic Statement vs. Topic

• A topic is a broad subject or idea, while a thematic statement is a more specific message or lesson that the author is trying to communicate.
• A topic tells you what the writing is about, whereas a thematic statement explains what the writer wants you to take away or learn from it.
• A topic can be a single word or phrase (like "love" or "justice"), but a thematic statement is a full sentence that reflects a deeper meaning or insight about the topic.

How to Write a Thematic Statement?

There is no specific way to write a thematic statement, but there are some important steps that you must follow. These guidelines will help you write a strong one.

1. Design a List of Theme Topics

Collect different ideas from your book and make a list of them. Check to see which one you can support with evidence, like facts or examples. Then, choose the idea that you can best support using the text in your book.

2. Conduct Extensive Research

To get a good idea for your writing, start with research!
First, look through the books and articles that are relevant to your topic. Then, think about what message you want readers to take away from it or how they might feel after reading it.

3. Read Thematic Statements of Other Writers

A literary work can reveal a person's thoughts on many issues. One could say it is the author's interpretation of life that they wrote to share with others.

So, when you are writing your thematic statement, always read other writers’ statements. Evaluate how they are crafting their thematic statements.

4. Identify the Conflict Areas

Conflicts are important to understand the theme. The conflict is what makes the theme so interesting.

If you know the conflict, you can better understand the central concept of your work and will be able to figure out motives and values that help you understand what motivates people in conflicts.

5. Focus on the Goal

The thematic statement is the most important part of your work. It should be brief and say everything you want to convey in one sentence, so focus on getting it right rather than detail other aspects such as what or how?

Thematic statements are critical because they communicate a message quickly without losing meaning. Make sure you get this done before writing anything else!

6. Avoid Moral Edict

A theme statement is good. It observes and considers ideas and actions, but it does not say what people should or should not do. So avoid words that tell someone what to do like "ought," "should," and "must."

7. Avoid Clinches

Cliches have already been used a lot, so they don't sound unique. It is better to come up with an original statement for your work.

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Thematic Statement Examples

What are the literary elements of a thematic statement? An author's overarching message for their work is often stated in one sentence.

Now that we've covered the basics of thematic statements, let's check some examples to see how they are applied in different works of literature.

Thematic Statements Example for Love

• Love taken to extremes can become dangerous.
• Loving yourself, despite your flaws, can lead to a happier life.
• Love can help us to be our best selves.
• Deep love can protect us even after they leave this Earth.
• Love has the power to alter us in positive and negative ways.

Thematic Statements Example for Identity

• Finding acceptance in yourself leads others to accept you as well.
• Staying true to yourself can lead to possibilities in life you didn’t expect.
• It takes faith in yourself to thrive in a harsh world.
• Faith in yourself and your ability is a scary but essential lesson to learn.
• Your identity isn’t static but grows with you as you discover more about yourself.

Thematic Statements Example for Fear

• Fear is something more dangerous than the danger itself
• Fear is nothing more than just a state of mind
• The biggest thing to fear about is fear itself
• You can’t stop being afraid just by pretending everything that scars you isn’t there
• No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.

Thematic Statements Example for Racism

• Racism is often held under the pretext of “us vs. them.”
• In order for racism to exist, there must be oppression and hostility in power.
• Societies utilize racism to systematically repress a culture and gain an advantage (social, political, or economic) over that population.
• Racism is being replaced by fear; it is driven less by belief in superiority but fear in inferiority.
• When political power is defined by racism, control and influence are inevitably derived from segregation, oppression, and malevolence.

Thematic Statement for Of Mice and Men

• Dreams can inspire hope but also deepen the pain of disappointment when they are unattainable.
• Isolation and loneliness are inevitable in a world that marginalizes the weak and different.
• The bond of friendship can offer solace and purpose, even in the harshest of circumstances.
• Powerlessness often breeds cruelty, as individuals seek control over others to cope with their own insecurities.
• The fragility of human connections underscores the inevitability of loss and heartbreak.

Theme Statement Examples in Literature

• To Kill a Mockingbird: Moral integrity is the foundation of justice, but prejudice often obstructs its course.
• Pride and Prejudice: True love and understanding can only emerge from humility and mutual respect.
• The Great Gatsby: Obsession with the past can prevent people from living in the present and building a future.
• 1984: The loss of individuality and freedom is the ultimate tragedy in a totalitarian society.
• Lord of the Flies: Civilization's thin veneer can quickly crumble, revealing humanity’s primal instincts.

Thematic Statement for The Cask of Amontillado

• The pursuit of revenge can consume a person, blinding them to the moral consequences of their actions.
• Pride can lead to one’s downfall when it drives individuals to dangerous extremes.
• Betrayal often stems from misplaced trust and can have devastating consequences.
• Deception can serve as a powerful tool to manipulate and destroy others.
• The desire for retribution can transform an individual into what they despise most.

Thematic Statement Examples for Harry Potter

• Courage and selflessness can triumph over the darkest evils.
• Love and sacrifice have the power to protect and unite even in the face of death.
• True loyalty comes from trust and understanding, not blind obedience.
• The quest for power without compassion leads to self-destruction.
• Our choices, not our circumstances, define who we truly are.

Thematic Statement Examples for The Hunger Games

• Survival often requires sacrifice, but it can also challenge one's humanity.
• Oppression and inequality fuel rebellion and the quest for freedom.
• Media manipulation can distort reality and shape public perception.
• Strength can emerge in unlikely places when faced with extraordinary adversity.
• Love and trust can be both a weapon and a weakness in the battle for survival.

Thematic Statement Examples for Trust

• Trust is the foundation of meaningful relationships but can be fragile and easily broken.
• Betrayal of trust often leads to lasting scars and fractured bonds.
• Trust requires vulnerability and risk, yet it is essential for personal growth.
• Restoring trust after betrayal demands time, effort, and forgiveness.
• Blind trust can make individuals vulnerable to manipulation and deceit.

Thematic Statement Examples for Hope

• Hope provides strength in times of despair and inspires perseverance.
• Even in the darkest moments, hope can spark the possibility of change.
• The resilience of hope lies in its ability to envision a better future.
• Hope can unite people and drive collective action in the face of adversity.
• A glimmer of hope is often enough to sustain the human spirit.

Dos And Don'ts of Writing a Thematic Statement 

Here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind when composing your own:

To Sum it Up!

This guide will help you if you are stuck. We have everything you need to know about thematic statements. Follow the guidelines and start writing a theme statement now. If you get stuck, we can help.

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