1. Theme Statements vs. Topics Theme= a lesson the reader learns from the text; a universal truth; always written as a statement. Ex: Life decisions can be hard. Life has many roads Regret can stifle a life. Courage can be seen in unlikely people. Ex: Choices, regret, journeys, adventure, love, happiness, empathy, isolation, courage Topics= one or two broad words

2. Topics Topics (or “big ideas”) are what the novel, story, or poem are about in general *What is the author saying ABOUT the topic? Power Corruption Deceit Survival Forgiveness Jealousy Dreams Fear Freedom Good vs. Evil Identity Bullying Courage Rivalry Trust Fate Individual vs. society Survival of the fittest Traditions

3. Thesis Statement A thesis statement clearly states the topic of a composition. It not only helps focus the main point of the essay by stating what you will PROVE in your paper, but it gives the reader an exact understanding of what will be covered. A thesis statement declares your OWN unique perspective, your “take”, on the subject. EX: Australia is the best country for a vacation.

4. Literary Thesis Statements A literary thesis includes the author’s name and title of the work along with what you are going to prove (thematic statement). Literary thesis statement examples: 1. In The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins illustrates how sometimes the only person you can trust is yourself. 2. By examining the history, warnings, and effects of the new wishes, it is clear that “The Monkey’s Paw” proves one cannot change his intended path—or fate—in life. 3. In the movie Selma, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shows that violence is never the answer.

5. Thesis Statement 1.In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses characters’ actions to show that courage can be seen in unlikely people. 2. Characters’ actions show that courage can be found in unlikely people in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.

6. Assertions (topic sentences of body paragraphs) Your reasons that will prove your thesis statement to be true. Each assertion will be developed into a well-written body paragraph using text evidence to support your claim.

7. Example Intro. Paragraph for Thematic Analysis Essay Empathy is a virtue that not all people have. To be able to understand other people’s feelings, motives, or situations takes a lot of effort since we live in such a judgmental society. Anne Frank, who was a young Jewish girl, went into hiding for three years trying to escape being killed by the Nazis during World War II. Under dire circumstances, Anne showed empathy in her many diary entries. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank shows that empathy can exist in horrific conditions. ** (thesis statement including my thematic statement)

8. Assertions (topic sentences of body paragraphs) 1.War brings out the best and worst of people. 2.Empathy can be a struggle for teenagers. 3.Understanding yourself is important for understanding others. ***Assertions: your reasons that will prove your thesis statement to be true. Each assertion will be developed into a well-written body paragraph using text evidence to support your claim.

9. Your Theme Analysis Outline I.A. Intro. paragraph (catch interest & provide any relevant background info.) B. State your thesis statement II.A. Assertion #1 B. Prove your assertion with examples (text evidence) and explanation. III.A. Assertion #2 B. Prove your assertion with examples (text evidence) and explanation. IV.A. Assertion #3 B. Prove your assertion with examples (text evidence) and explanation. V.Conclusion (wrap up your essay by showing your theme in our society today & restate your thesis in a different way)

10. MLA Documentation You need to place the lines that you use from the book in “quotation marks” and write the (author’s last name and pg. # ) in parenthesis with the period after. My Example: Atticus is the epitome of courage in this novel. “I wanted you to see what real courage is… it’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what” (Lee 112). He selflessly defends Tom even though he knows the whole town will hate him and his family. He knows that he would not win Tom’s case, but he has the moral integrity to do what is right. 2 nd paragraph requirements: Assertion (topic sentence), relevant “text evidence”, and insightful explanation/ analysis.

11. Conclusion Example As you can see, courage is a quality that is evident is many characters in To Kill a Mockingbird. This quality is not just important in a famous novel written in the 1930s, but is seen everyday in our world today. The soldiers who have fought for our country through all the wars in history have shown a great amount of courage. They choose to put their life in danger for all Americans who are total strangers to them. Courage is within everybody, and it can appear at the most unlikely time.