A universal message or truth about life You can’t always get what you want
Sometimes stated directly In Robert McNeil’s “The Trouble with Television,” the title states the theme of the piece: there are problems with television.
Through personification Sometimes implied Through metaphor Through simile Through personification Through imagery Through tone of voice Through symbols
Implied through simile Dream Deferred What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load Or does it just explode? - Langston Hughes Back
Implied through personification Sleeping in the Forest by Mary Oliver I thought the earth remembered me, she took me back so tenderly, arranging her dark skirts, her pockets full of lichens and seeds. --- Back
Implied through tone of voice Back
Implied through symbols Back
Implied through metaphors Life is a yo-yo. It's a series of ups and downs. Back
Implied through Imagery