Theme Statements vs.

Topics
Theme= a lesson the reader learns from the
text; a universal truth; always written as a
statement.
Ex: Life decisions can be hard.
Life has many roads
Regret can stifle a life.
Courage can be seen in unlikely people.
Topics= one or two broad words
Ex: Choices, regret, journeys, adventure, love,
happiness, empathy, isolation, courage

TKM Thematic Statements

1. Work with your seat partner and write on one
sheet of paper.
2. Discuss the various theme topics from To Kill a
Mockingbird (racism, hatred, family, choices, etc.)
3. Write 3 original thematic statements on a chosen
topic. Be prepared to share.
-For example: I chose the topic of courage, and I
wrote this thematic statement: Courage can be
seen in unlikely people.

My TKM Thematic Statements

1. Look at the two theme topics you
highlighted for in your book and write 2
original thematic statements (one for each
topic).
2. Everyone will compose one on social
inequality. The 2nd one will come from your
topic list: innocence, education, tolerance,
courage, or family relationships.

Thesis Statement
A thesis statement clearly states the topic of a
composition. It not only helps focus the main point of
the essay by stating what you will PROVE in your
paper, but it gives the reader an exact understanding
of what will be covered.
*A thesis statement declares your OWN unique
perspective, your take, on the subject.
EX: Australia is the best country for a vacation.

Literary Thesis Statements

A literary thesis includes the authors name and title of
the work along with what you are going to prove
(thematic statement).
Literary thesis statement examples:
1. In A Separate Peace, John Knowles portrays jealousy as an
element of friendship.
2. In the novel A Separate Peace, John Knowles illustrates how
a person creates his or her own peace.
3. A Separate Peace by John Knowles illustrates the
destructive results caused by distrust.

Thesis Statement
1. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses
characters actions to show that courage
can be seen in unlikely people.
2. Characters actions show that courage
can be found in unlikely people in Harper
Lees To Kill a Mockingbird.
Now write your own original thesis
statement.

Thematic Analysis Intro. Paragraph

1. You will now write your introductory paragraph of
your essay.
2. Include relevant background info. on setting,
specific characters, plot summary, etc.
3. The last sentence of this paragraph should be
your thesis statement.
4. Look at my example on another literary piece.

Example Intro. Paragraph for Thematic

Analysis Essay
Empathy is a virtue that not all people have.
To be able to understand other peoples feelings,
motives, or situations takes a lot of effort since we
live in such a judgmental society. Anne Frank, who
was a young Jewish girl, went into hiding for three
years trying to escape being killed by the Nazis
during World War II. Under dire circumstances,
Anne showed empathy in her many diary entries.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne
Frank shows that empathy can exist in horrific
conditions. **(thesis statement including my thematic
statement)

Assertions (topic sentences of body

paragraphs)
1.
2.
3.

War brings out the best and worst of people.

Empathy can be a struggle for teenagers.
Understanding yourself is important for
understanding others.

***These are your reasons that will prove your thesis

statement to be true. Each assertion will be developed
into a well-written body paragraph using text evidence to
support your claim.
Now, write down 3 assertions that will prove your thesis.

Your Theme Analysis Outline

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

A. Intro. paragraph (catch interest & provide any relevant

background info.)
B. State your thesis statement
A. Assertion #1
B. Prove your assertion with examples (text evidence) and
explanation.
A. Assertion #2
B. Prove your assertion with examples (text evidence) and
explanation.
A. Assertion #3
B. Prove your assertion with examples (text evidence) and
explanation.
Conclusion (wrap up your essay by showing your theme in
our society today & restate your thesis in a different way)

MLA Documentation
You need to place the lines that you use from the
book in quotation marks and write the (authors last
name and pg. # ) in parenthesis with the period after.
My Example:
Atticus is the epitome of courage in this novel. I wanted you to
see what real courage is its when you know youre licked
before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no
matter what (Lee 112). He selflessly defends Tom even though
he knows the whole town will hate him and his family. He knows
that he would not win Toms case, but he has the moral integrity
to do what is right.
2nd paragraph requirements: Assertion (topic sentence), relevant
text evidence, and insightful explanation/ analysis.

Conclusion Example
As you can see, courage is a quality that is
evident is many characters in To Kill a Mockingbird.
This quality is not just important in a famous novel
written in the 1930s, but is seen everyday in our
world today. The soldiers who have fought for our
country through all the wars in history have shown
a great amount of courage. They choose to put
their life in danger for all Americans who are total
strangers to them. Courage is within everybody,
and it can appear at the most unlikely time.