Theme as an Arguable Claim

Write theme statements as complex, arguable claims rather than single words or clichés.

A theme is not a topic. 'Ambition' is a topic; a theme is a claim the work makes about that topic. Weak theme statements are single words, clichés ('follow your dreams'), or commands. Strong ones are complete, specific sentences that could be argued with evidence and might even be disputed by another careful reader. Consider an original story: a gifted violinist practices obsessively, wins a major prize, and then realizes she no longer remembers why she loved music. Weak: 'The theme is ambition. ' Better: 'Ambition is bad.

' Strong: 'The story suggests that pursuing excellence for external reward can hollow out the very passion that made excellence possible. ' The strong version names a topic, takes a position, and includes nuance. Good themes also account for the ending, since endings often reveal what the work finally asserts. Test your theme by asking whether every major event could be used as evidence for it, and whether an intelligent reader could disagree.

• 1A topic is a word; a theme is a claim.
• 2Avoid single words, clichés, and commands.
• 3Strong themes are specific, nuanced, and arguable.
• 4Account for the ending.