Theme Paragraph

1. Theme Paragraph What is a theme paragraph? It is a paragraph about the theme of a short story!!!

2. There are 8 Steps to Writing a Theme Statement • There are 8 steps to follow when writing a theme statement!!!

3. Theme Statement Step 1: Write a theme statement. Theme Statement: This is a one sentence general statement about life or human nature which can be derived by interpreting a story’s overall message. It does not mention specifics from the story (i.e., specific names, settings, or events), but instead generalizes accurately and comprehensively about the story’s main meaning.

4. Rules for a Theme Statement • The theme is usually not stated directly in the story at all; it is the author’s underlying message. • A theme must always be a statement; it must always be something that can be expressed in at least one sentence. • The theme reveals a truth about human behavior. • A theme statement does not refer to a specific work; it is a general statement about life. • The second person pronoun “you”—or any of its forms: your, you’re—is never used in a theme statement. • A theme statement doesn’t jump off the page and talk directly to the reader; it does NOT sound like a moral. Subject + Author’s Message = Theme

5. More about your Theme Statement: • The theme statement is your own original statement about the main overall idea of the story. • It should be worded as a generalization about life or human nature. • It does not directly refer to specific characters or situations in the story.

6. More Sample “Theme Statements” In James Hurst’s short story “The Scarlet Ibis,” the author’s message is that a person’s pride in one’s own accomplishments may cause him or her to treat others cruelly. Hans Andersen’s short story “The Emperor’s New Clothes” exposes the pretensions and pomposity of those in power OR Hans Andersen’s short story “The Emperor’s New Clothes” demonstrates the ability of the innocent eye to expose them. Pls. note: This is not stated as a moral. It’s simply the message of the short story!

7. For example … Example of a Theme Statement: Jillan Wine’s short story “Jillian Giggs, A Teenage Perspective” portrays the positive effects that adversity has on the human spirit. * Pls. note: This is the theme statement that will be used for the class exemplar that we will present in this Power Point. Pls. note: Your theme statement must adopt a stance!!! Remember, a theme statement is the message of the short story!!!

8. Developing Sentences, Example 1 Step 2: Write a few sentences that provide all necessary background information about the short story that relate to the theme.

9. Example of Step 2: Background information that relates to theme. The protagonist, Jillian Giggs, encounters several problems throughout her first year in grade 7, including failing a Math test, her best friend moving to New York along with her parents’ divorce.

10. Step 3: Support your theme statement with a specific example from the short story. Include a quotation from the short story. Step 4:Write a sentence explaining HOW your example proves your theme statement.

11. Example of Step 3: Example When Jillian first learns of her parent’s divorce, she becomes depressed. This obstacle seems too difficult for her to overcome. She does, however, after speaking to her high school guidance counsellor eventually come to terms with her father and mother’s severed relationship and ultimately, she learns to accept the fact that her family has changed. At the end of the story, Jillian explains to her counsellor how she understands her parents’ situation: “I understand them now. I know where they are coming from. I am finally close with them.” Example of Step 4: Explanation of Example She becomes a stronger, more compassionate and empathetic person because of her parents’ divorce!!!

12. Developing Sentence: Example 2 Step 5: Support your theme statement with a specific example from the short story. Include a quotation from the short story. Step 6: Write a sentence that explains HOW your example proves your theme statement.

13. Step 5: Example Number 2 In respect to everyday life, Jillian confronts obstacles at school on a daily basis and she thrives off the challenge they presents her with. For example, after she fails her math test and her teacher tells her that she will never be able to score well enough to remain in the honors’ stream, Jillian rises to the challenge. Her teacher’s lack of confidence in her gives her determination to prove her teacher wrong. Indeed “she scores the top grade in Grade 7 Math”! Step 6: Explanation of Example. Adversity drives her determination and her desire to achieve.

14. A Concluding Statement Step 7: Write asentence that sums up everything in your paragraph.

15. Example of Concluding statement: The short story ultimately portrays adversity in a positive light: it makes a man stronger, more empathetic and compassionate.

16. Other Notes Length: The length of your paragraph will vary. Just remember that a paragraph should be a minimum of 8 sentences.

17. Class Exemplar Paragraph Jillan Wine’s short story “Jillian Giggs, a Teenage Perspective” portrays the positive effects that adversity has on the human spirit. The protagonist, Jillian Giggs, encounters several problems throughout her first year in grade 7, including her parents divorce, failing an important math test and her best friend moving to New York. When Jillian first learns of her parents’ divorce, she becomes depressed. This obstacle seems too difficult for her to overcome. She does, however, after speaking to her high school guidance counsellor eventually come to terms with her father and mother’s severed relationship and ultimately, she learns to accept the fact that her family has changed. At the end of the story, Jillian explains to her counsellor how she understands her parents situation: “I understand them now. I know where they are coming from. I am finally close with them”. She becomes a stronger, more compassionate and empathetic person because of her parents’ divorce!!! In respect to everyday life, Jillian confronts obstacles at school on a daily basis and she thrives off the challenge they presents her with. For example, after she fails her math test and her teacher tells her that she will never be able to score well enough to remain in the honors’ stream, Jillian rises to the challenge. Her teacher’s lack of confidence in her gives her determination to prove her teacher wrong. Indeed, “Jillian scores the top grade in 7th year Math”! Adversity drives the determined man to succeed. It is portrayed in a positive light: Adversity makes a man stronger, more empathetic and compassionate.