Writing a Thematic Statement RICHARD WAGAMESE “MY FRIEND SHANE”

1st – Pick a movie/book A Disney movie, Harry Potter or the Walking Dead.

2nd – Review the plot and brainstorm! What are the topics?

Possible Topics Loyalty Poverty Resilience Self-awareness Friendship Belonging Power of wealth Dangers of ignorance Love Judgment Prejudice Discrimination Self-esteem Community Growing up Family Materialism

3rd – Divide whiteboard into 4 columns. Topic (pick one) Problem Consequences Theme (a message that is universal)

Theme Statement Pattern Fill in the blanks (on the back of the whiteboard) People often ________________ because ___________________ and; as a result, ____________________________. Therefore, _______________________ PROBLEM Explain why people have this problem CONSEQUENCES of the PROBLEM THEME statement/ lesson the reader should learn.

“My Friend Shane” Richard Wagamese Topic Problem Consequences Theme (a message that is universal)

A theme statement is the universal lesson anyone reading the STORY should learn. For example: People should not try to please others by pretending to be something false. Or People should not blame their problems on others.

START WITH A major PROBLEM The primary problem in the STORY must be universal, apply to many situations and may not actually be solved in the book. For Example: People often discriminate against others based off appearances and actions. OR People are often oblivious to the nature of love.

A THEMATIC STATEMENT… Combines both the major PROBLEM, the CONSEQUENCES of facing the major PROBLEM and the THEME statement. POVERTY JUDGMENT NEGLECT LOW SELF-ESTEEM

Theme Statement Pattern People often ________________ because ___________________ and, as a result, ____________________________. Therefore, _______________________ PROBLEM Explain why people have this problem CONSEQUENCES of the PROBLEM THEME statement/ lesson the reader should learn.

So, for example… The PROBLEM of (INSERT EVERY TEEN MOVIE) is-- attempting to be something you are not. The EXPLANATION of why people do this is -- because people want to be popular at any cost. The CONSEQUENCE of this problem is-- people end up forgetting who they truly are. Therefore, the THEME/LESSON of this MOVIE is people should recognize that losing themselves will not lead to happiness.

This IS a THEME STATEMENT People often ___________________ because ___________________ and, as a result, _____________________. Therefore, _______________________________ try to turn themselves into someone they are not they want to to be popular at any cost they end up forgetting who they truly are people should recognize that losing themselves will not lead to happiness

The finished THEME STATEMENT People often try to turn themselves into someone they’re not because they want to be popular at any cost and, as a result, they end up forgetting who they truly are. Therefore, people should recognize that losing themselves will not lead to happiness.

REMEMBER, A THEME STATEMENT… Is a universal meaning. It applies to almost everyone on the planet – not just the characters from your story. Begins with the major problem from the book Ends with the lesson every person reading this book should learn Makes SENSE when you read it aloud!

Which one is the GOOD complex theme statement? People often misjudge because of looks and, as a result, it’s bad. Therefore, don’t be discriminative of looks. 2. People often turn away from their problems because they are afraid of failure and, as a result, they ultimately fail. Therefore, turning away from problems only makes the situation worse.

Can’t Figure Out the Deeper Meaning? Try this… Who is the main character? How does the main character change or what does the main character learn? Start with a thematic subject. What is the main thing the literary work is about? What is the author saying about this subject? Example subjects: change growing up war and peace good and evil friendship deception poverty fear memory responsibility parenthood misunderstanding love choices ambition

Example Thematic Formula… People often ___________________ because ___________________ and, as a result, ____________________________. Therefore, _______________________ Problem Explain why people have this problem CONSEQUENCES of the Conflict THEME statement/ lesson the reader should learn. “My Friend Shane” Insert your words for the problem, why people have this problem, and what are the consequences. Then write the them, “Therefore, …”

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER After theme statement add the following: Richard Wagamese’s in “My Friend Shane” demonstrates that love conquers all or a strong home life leads to a strong well being or appearances can be deceiving or through…how is the theme developed or shown?