As a non-fiction example, a white paper could have as its subject be the improvement of the security of the cargo transportation supply chain. Its theme would be the forms of business data and means to access it that could provide those improvements. As a fiction example, the Hans Christian Anderson story, “The Ugly Duckling,” has a subject of alienation in that the main character is depicted as different from his peers. The themes, however, are themes of failure to fit in, as well as self-discovery as the “duckling” grows up to discover he was actually a swan.
Documenting or recording an event or information Reflection on an idea Demonstration of knowledge Summary of information Explanation of an idea Analysis of a problem Persuasion Theorization that speculates or seeks to explain an issue Entertainment
For example, in a business marketing letter, your audience will be prospective customers. Your purpose is to inform or persuade them to buy, and your theme might be to show them how your product will meet their needs. You may include statements of needs your customer will identify with, and then follow each statement with a short paragraph about how your product relates to that need. Dr. Seuss wrote books for young children, requiring him to use a limited vocabulary. His “The Star-Bellied Sneetches” had a theme of learning to accept differences. In the story, the Sneetches learn to accept differences after applying and removing their belly stars so many times that they no longer remember their original appearances. In telling the story, Seuss used short words, made up words, and wrote in a distinctive rhyming cadence that made his words. This helps the reader recognize and remember the lessons behind them.
Try out the technique of “mind-mapping”. In this technique, you start with a central idea and begin to map out the ways in which the story develops. This way, you can also start to identify how the theme weaves through the story. [3] X Research source
For example, if your character is passionate about becoming a vegan, you might start to examine themes of whether humans have the right to take control over the natural world. In many non-fiction pieces, such as a letter to the editor, you are the “character” and your motivation is what will define the theme. For example, if you are writing a letter to your congressperson about a recent oil spill in your community, your theme could be something like the need for environmental cleanup and responsibility.
For example, your character’s parent committed a crime. Your character, a police officer, is faced with a moral dilemma of whether to arrest the parent or not. Your theme could start to emerge from this conflict.
Through characters’ actions, thoughts and speech Through symbolic use of the environment Through repeating ideas Through highlighting symbols or landmarks Through contrasting values
Try a recurring motif to institute symbolism in your story. You might have a recurring motif or detail of a person singing “Ave Maria” in your story.
Be open to the ways that other people respond to your writing. They might be able to point out errors that you regularly make, which can help clarify and improve your writing. They might also ask thought-provoking questions that helps you consider an angle you hadn’t previously considered. Remember that this feedback is not intended to be personal; they are responding to the writing, not to you.
For example, perhaps you have been focusing your theme on a firefighter’s triumph over her parents’ disapproval. But then you realize that your story is really about the firefighter’s struggle in a male-dominated profession. [9] X Research source A change to your theme might necessitate adding or deleting some passages that do not strengthen your theme.
