1. Wrangling with Writing
Strategies to Subdue Stress

2. Begin with Big Ideas Writing Thematic Statements
Start by determining several abstract words to express the primary ideas of the work (topics that the work is really about). Abstract words describe concepts or ideas that exist only in our minds like disillusionment, survival, oppression, cruelty, sacrifice, hubris, identity.
Combine those abstract ideas with comments that reflect the author’s observations about human nature, the human condition, or human motivation. In other words, what is the author’s message about the abstract idea? Is he/she, for example, saying something about the qualities of people and/or commenting on society?

3. Good Thesis Statements
What do good thematic statements do?
Good Examples
state the theme as an insight into life
As one develops morally and psychologically, he learns his duty to his family and community.
state the theme as a general comment on a subject
Insanity, given prolonged exposure to the isolation of the wilderness, seems an inevitable extension of disorder. 
draw a general insight from a character’s behavior
Conrad, primarily through the example of the Company’s chief clerk, shows how people can maintain order with the most mundane details of their lives while all around them disorder reigns.
use qualifying words, such as sometimes, can, may, and often
Conrad explores the question of what the alienation and loneliness of extended periods of time in a remote and hostile environment can do to men’s minds.

4. What do bad thematic statements do?
Bad Thesis Statements
What do bad thematic statements do?
Bad Examples
state the theme as a subject
The theme is coming of age.
state the theme as a maxim
Love conquers all.
state the theme as a moral or lesson
You should not discriminate against anyone.
use sweeping generalizations with words like “everyone,” “always,” “never,” and “all”
Alienation makes everyone go insane.

5. Thesis Statement Framework
(Thematic idea) (statement about thematic idea).
Examples:
(Courage) (allows people to attempt difficult tasks in their lives even when there is a chance of failing.)
(Independence) (is necessary to grow up though it can be frightening.)

6. Next Up? Novels Summer Reading Assignment
Choose three of the topics that follow. (Grouped topics count as one topic.) As you read, mark/highlight three passages for each topic you choose. (You will mark at least 9 passages total.) For each topic, find passages that 1) reveal the topic’s emergence, 2) develop the topic, and 3) reconcile the topic. Each set of passages should represent the novel’s comprehensive development, so you should have passages from the beginning, middle, and end of the novel.

7. Thematic Ideas in The Kite Runner
Atonement/Redemption/Forgiveness
Courage/Resilience
Cruelty/Violence
Discrimination
Guilt/Remorse/Shame
Home/Family
Friendship/Loyalty/Trust
Impact of the Past
Parents and Children
Quest
Sacrifice

8. Thematic Statements Chart
Student Sample

9. Practice with Passages
Choose three of the thematic topics in Frankenstein. For each assignment, mark/highlight one passage for each topic (three passages per reading assignment). Each passage should also include clear examples of two literary elements: characterization, contrast, detail, figurative language, foil, foreshadowing, imagery, and/or tone. You may mark more than three passages. Find an electronic copy of the text, copy/paste your passages, and print/bring them to class on the day the reading is due. YOU WILL NEED THE PRINTED PASSAGES FOR THE CLASS ACTIVITY, AND THE ACTIVITY WILL BE GRADED!

10. Practice with Passages
Choose one of the passages you brought to class. For that passage A) explain the context of the passage in a complete sentence; B) make an assertion about at least two literary elements in the passage and how they develop a thematic topic; C) explain your assertion, including quoted “snippets” from the passage in your explanation. You don’t have to explain the meaning of the thematic topic, but you do need to explain what the passage says—implicitly or explicitly—about the topic. You need to include and draw a box around the literary elements and thematic topic from your assertion in the explanation.

11. Practice with Passages
Choose two of the passages below. Follow the same instructions for these passages.
For all three passages (one of yours, two of mine), choose from the following literary elements: characterization, contrast, detail, figurative language, foil, foreshadowing, imagery, and/or tone. YOU MUST USE EACH LITERARY ELEMENT AT LEAST ONCE, AND YOU MAY NOT USE ANY LITERARY ELEMENT MORE THAN TWICE. ADDITIONALLY, YOU MUST DISCUSS AT LEAST ONE THEMATIC TOPIC FROM EACH GROUP. This means you need to read all of the passages to determine prominent devices before you decide which passages you will explain.
Student Sample