A theme statement is the universal lesson anyone reading the book 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.

A major conflict is The primary problem in the book. This 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 COMPLEX THEMATIC STATEMENT… Combines both the major conflict, the consequences of facing the major conflict and the theme statement to explain the great TRUTH/LESSON of the novel.

Example Thematic Formula… People often ___________________ because ___________________ and, as a result, ____________________________. Therefore, _______________________ CONFLICT Explain why people have this problem CONSEQUENCES of the Conflict THEME statement/ lesson the reader should learn.

So, for example… The CONFLICT of The Great Gatsby is … attempting to be something you are not. The EXPLANATION of why people do this is … because people want to achieve their goals at any cost. The CONSEQUENCE of this problem is… people end up forgetting who they truly are. Therefore, the THEME/LESSON of this book is… people should recognize that losing themselves will not lead to happiness.

This elements create a COMPLEX THEME STATEMENT People often ___________________ because ___________________ and, as a result, _____________________. Therefore, _______________________________ Try to turn themselves into someone they are not They want to achieve their goals at any cost They end up forgetting who they truly are People should recognize that losing themselves will not lead to happiness

The finished COMPLEX THEME STATEMENT People often try to turn themselves into someone they’re not because they want to achieve their goals 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 COMPLEX THEME STATEMENT  Is universal, meaning it applies to almost everyone on the planet – not just the characters from your book.  Begins with the major conflict 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? 1. People often overeat fast food because it’s cheap and good and, as a result, people get health problems. Therefore, people should stop constantly eating fast food. 2. People often change their personalities around certain people because they’re embarrassed about their true selves and, as a result, they have to maintain a false image. Therefore, people should reject social normalcy and accept themselves for who they are.

Which one is the GOOD complex theme statement? 1. People often misjudge because of looks and, as a result, loose chances. 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:  changegrowing upwar and peace  good and evilfriendshipdeception  poverty fear memory  responsibilityparenthood misunderstanding  lovechoicesambition

NOW… As a group, write a complex thematic statement for a Disney movie. Do not tell other groups what movie it is! We will need to guess!

Example Thematic Formula… People often ___________________ because ___________________ and, as a result, ____________________________. Therefore, _______________________ CONFLICT Explain why people have this problem CONSEQUENCES of the Conflict THEME statement/ lesson the reader should learn.

So, is the theme statement the first completed paragraph of a paper?? NO!!! A GOOD OPENING PARAGRAPH… Explains what you will be addressing in your paper and implying how it relates to the prompt (Thesis) Provides a clear Theme that relates to the prompt May give a quick summary of the primary conflicts within the piece of literature (only conflicts which directly relate to the prompt)

GOOD OR NOT SO GOOD?  In the play, Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Hamlet juggles with the emotions of to love or hate the relationship that his mother has with his father’s brother, Claudius.  People often let their passion or desires override their better judgment and, as a result, neglect their responsibilities and obligations to others and themselves. Therefore, people should prioritize their lives and control their emotions.  In the play, Hamlet, Shakespeare uses the character Hamlet to prove how people often become more likely to commit violent acts because of their thirst for revenge and, as a result, cause harm to themselves and others. Therefore, people should not let a want of revenge alter their thinking. Shakespeare demonstrates this theme through Hamlet deteriorating mental state in his soliloquies and comparisons to the character Ophelia.