Writing on Theme
English 9
Do Now
Take a worksheet from the front table.
In the open space on the back of the worksheet, write
the theme of the story “Everyday Use.”
What is Theme?
•
What is the theme of “Everyday Use?”
•
What is Alice Walker trying to tell us/her readers?
•
•
How do you know?
What, in the story, tells us the theme/hints at her main
point?
Writing
•
We are going to spend the next day or two writing
about the them of the story.
Do you remember what a good paragraph needs?
Let’s Review!
Parts of a Paragraph
3 Main Parts –
First Sentence – the topic sentence.
• States your main point/idea
Middle/Body Sentences
• Provides support for your topic sentence
The Last Sentence
• Reminds your readers of the point you just made
Parts of a Paragraph
What makes a good topic sentence?
Topic Sentence
 Go beyond the statement of simple fact
 State an opinion or theory – something that you will
need your supporting details to prove
• Ex: Shakespeare wrote Hamlet
• Shakespeare’s Hamlet is the most well
written tragedy.
• Ex: I have a cat named Roxy
• My cat, Roxy, is vicious.
 A good Topic Sentence has two parts
 A limited subject
 A precise opinion about that subject
Forming a Topic Sentence
The first part of the topic sentence is your limited
subject.
Your subject must be specific!
If you are going to write about Literature, pick a specific
(or limited) part of literature. Short stories. Which short
story?
Unless you are writing a 60 page paper, you essay should
focus on one or two specific works of literature.
Use your Topic Sentence to introduce you specific subject
Forming a Topic Sentence

The second part of the topic sentence expresses your
opinion about the limited subject.


If you do not state an opinion about your subject, your subject and
topic will be too vague. Remember Roxy the cat?
This part of your sentence is a word or phrase that makes a
judgment about your limited subject.
• Say you are going to write about “Everyday
Use.” What will be your judgment? Is it about
heritage? Culture? Family?
• Whatever you choose as your judgment will be
your precise opinion
• Saying it is a “good story” is not a precise
opinion!
Unity
Everything you say in a paragraph must support your main
point!
Each idea and supporting detail must support the one main point
stated in the topic sentence
Your writing should excluded any ideas that are irrelevant or do not
support the main idea/point of the paragraph.
Ex:
Topic Sent: The author uses the words to other characters to
characterize Alfred as a bad person
Supp. Det.: Mr. Carr catches him stealing
Supp. Det.: It is weird that Alfred stole lipstick
Supp. Det.: Even Alfred’s mother calls him “a bad
lot”
Conclusion: The author uses other character’s words to
show Alfred is a bad person.
Unity
The idea of unity is pretty simple. Do not include any
information that does not directly support your main
point/idea.
Do not be led astray by a word or idea that you think of when
writing… (like the lipstick Alfred stole!)
Re-read your paragraphs. Cross out anything that does not
belong!
Be Clear!
Explain your support –
Remember – your reader is NOT inside your head and can’t read your
mind.
Be sure that you explain how your support relates to the main
idea/topic sentence!
EX:
In the early morning, I am easily annoyed by my roommate. I have to
shut the ice-covered windows. A white tornado of dandruff swirls
around the room. A mass of smoke from cigarettes hovers near the
door. No wonder I find my roommate annoying.
What is wrong with this paragraph?
How about this…
In the early morning, I am easily annoyed by my roommate. I
have to shut the ice-covered windows that John, my roommate,
insists on opening every night, even during the winter. A white
tornado swirling around the room shows me that his dandruff
problem is still in full force. A mass of smoke from John’s pack-a-day
habit hovers near the door. No winder I find my roommate
annoying.
Much better, right?
Stick to your Topic!
Reminders of the precise opinion in the topic sentence
Remind your reader what it is you are saying about your subject (yes,
they just read it in your topic sentence, but it helps to be reminded)
Two techniques to help remind the reader:
Repeat the exact words of the opinion
Use other words that suggest the same opinion
Let’s look at the sample paragraph…
In the early morning, I am easily annoyed by
my roommate. I am annoyed each time I have to
shut the ice-covered windows that John, my
roommate, insists on opening every night, even
during the winter. A disgusting white tornado
swirling around the room shows me that his
dandruff problem is still in full force. A chocking
mass of stale smoke from John’s pack-a-day habit
hovers near the door. No wonder I find my
roommate annoying.
Keep it Smooth!
Transitions
A paragraph is more than just a list of reasons why you think/believe
your main idea/opinion.
Smooth transitions between supporting sentences help the paragraph to
flow.
Transitions make the paragraph feel less clumsy and chunky.
They are like road signs that point the reader through the paragraph,
helping the reader to understand how supporting details relate to each
other and the topic sentence.
In the early morning, I am usually annoyed by my
roommate. For example, I am annoyed each time I have
to shut the ice-covered windows that John, my
roommate, insists on opening every night, even during
the winter. I am also disgusted by a white tornado
swirling around the room, which shows me that his
dandruff problem is still in full force. Most bothersome,
though, is the choking mass of stale smoke from John’s
pack-a-day habit that hovers near the door. No wonder I
find my roommate annoying.
Drafting Your Paragraph
Now it is your turn.
The theme of a story is the author’s intended message.
The theme of “Everyday Use” is often stated as:
Heritage is not an artifact of the past, but part of a
living ongoing creation. Write a one or two paragraph
essay explaining how Alice Walker creates and conveys
her theme.
Using the graphic organizer worksheet, create a map of
your ideas and support. Show me the completed
graphic organizer before you begin drafting your
paragraph!