How to Write a
Theme
Statement
The Thematic Statement

The Thematic Statement is the most
important sentence in the essay. Get it
wrong, and the rest of the essay will suffer.

The thematic statement is a sentence that
combines the TITLE (properly punctuated),
the AUTHOR’S NAME (both first and last)
and the GENRE of the piece and what the
writer says about the subject.

A thematic statement is written in present
tense.

A thematic statement is written in the active
voice.

The verb in a thematic statement is not a
form of “to be”.

The verb should be vibrant and meaningful.

The subject should be preceded by an
adjective that will reveal the writer’s tone.
REVIEW

The necessary parts of a thematic statement
are:

Title/Author/Genre, Tone, Theme+
descriptive adjective/adverb and strong
verb.

W.H. Auden’s ironic poem, “Musee des
Beaux Arts,” utilizes situational irony to
suggest that life passes by nonchalantly
for those whom tragedy does not directly
affect.
MORE EXAMPLES

Adrienne Rich’s contemplative poem, “Storm
Warnings,” evokes a sense of calm in the
face of turmoil through the use of imagery
and concrete details to illuminate the
speakers practiced response to an
impending storm.

Ray Bradbury’s poignant novel, Dandelion
Wine, illuminates the coming of age of
Douglas Spalding throught the use of
extended metaphor and symbolism.
Now you try

Prompt: How does John Steinbeck use
foreshadowing to create meaning in Of Mice
and Men?

Write a theme statement.