Writing Thematic Statements
(A Step-By-Step Process)
1. Using 1-3 abstract words, explain what the short story/play/novel is
about. (use your ABSTRACT TOPICS handout!) Use words that express
human conditions/emotions. These are often abstract words such as hope,
love, security, faith, gratitude, et al.
For Example: What is The Great Gatsby about?
Answer: disillusion, corruption, greed, obsession, ambition
2. Explain in a one (or more) complete and detailed sentences what the
author believes the work is about.
For Example: F. Scott Fitzgerald believes that the quest to obtain an
obsession results in a moral vacuum and a hollow life of disillusionment.
3. Cross out the first three words:
For Example: The quest to obtain an obsession results in a moral vacuum
and a hollow life of disillusionment.
4. Academically fine-tune the sentence(s) (i.e. no first/second person
pronouns-I, me, my, we, us, you, your). Provide a main clause and
subordinate clause in your thematic statement.
For Example: The compulsion to pursue an obsession requires moral
ambiguity, which can only lead to hollow disillusionment.
WHEN FORMULATING A THEMATIC STATEMENT:
A. Avoid clichéd sayings (ex. “Never give up” or “Love conquers all”)
If it can be found on a t-shirt or bumper sticker, it’s not the best choice for
an AP thematic statement!
B. Be careful not to make your theme too PREACHY or judgmental (ex. “Don’t
judge a book by its cover” and “Always be friendly.” Avoid absolutes and
never use “never” or “should” or “ought to” or “always.”
C. Theme is NOT a SUMMARY of the book/play/poem/story!
D. Theme should reflect the work AS A WHOLE not just isolated events!
Name _____________________________________
Date ______________
Period _____
1. Using 1-3 abstract words, explain what the short story “Where are You
Going? Where have You Been?” is about. (use your ABSTRACT TOPICS
handout!) Use words that express human conditions/emotions. These are
often abstract words such as hope, love, security, faith, gratitude, et al.
1.___________________ 2. ____________________ 3. _______________________
2. Explain in a one complete and detailed sentence what Joyce Carol Oates
believes the work is about.
Joyce Carol Oates believes that/the story conveys that
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. Cross out the beginning words through “that”:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
4. Academically fine-tune the sentence (i.e. no first/second person
pronouns-I, me, my, we, us, you, your). Provide a main clause AND a
subordinate clause in your thematic statement.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. Now that you’ve derived a thematic idea from the text, you will need to
support your assertion with evidence from the story itself. Provide 3
specific examples from the text on the lines below that would support
your thematic statement. Ask yourself: How do I know this is the universal
message of the story?
1. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
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