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Theme Definition

What is theme? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

A theme is a universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature. One key characteristic of literary themes is their universality, which is to say that themes are ideas that not only apply to the specific characters and events of a book or play, but also express broader truths about human experience that readers can apply to their own lives. For instance, John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath (about a family of tenant farmers who are displaced from their land in Oklahoma) is a book whose themes might be said to include the inhumanity of capitalism, as well as the vitality and necessity of family and friendship.

Some additional key details about theme:

• All works of literature have themes. The same work can have multiple themes, and many different works explore the same or similar themes.
• Themes are sometimes divided into thematic concepts and thematic statements . A work's thematic concept is the broader topic it touches upon (love, forgiveness, pain, etc.) while its thematic statement is what the work says about that topic. For example, the thematic concept of a romance novel might be love, and, depending on what happens in the story, its thematic statement might be that "Love is blind," or that "You can't buy love . "
• Themes are almost never stated explicitly. Oftentimes you can identify a work's themes by looking for a repeating symbol , motif , or phrase that appears again and again throughout a story, since it often signals a recurring concept or idea.

Theme Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce theme: theem

Identifying Themes

Every work of literature—whether it's an essay, a novel, a poem, or something else—has at least one theme. Therefore, when analyzing a given work, it's always possible to discuss what the work is "about" on two separate levels: the more concrete level of the plot (i.e., what literally happens in the work), as well as the more abstract level of the theme (i.e., the concepts that the work deals with). Understanding the themes of a work is vital to understanding the work's significance—which is why, for example, every LitCharts Literature Guide uses a specific set of themes to help analyze the text.

Although some writers set out to explore certain themes in their work before they've even begun writing, many writers begin to write without a preconceived idea of the themes they want to explore—they simply allow the themes to emerge naturally through the writing process. But even when writers do set out to investigate a particular theme, they usually don't identify that theme explicitly in the work itself. Instead, each reader must come to their own conclusions about what themes are at play in a given work, and each reader will likely come away with a unique thematic interpretation or understanding of the work.

Symbol, Motif, and Leitwortstil

Writers often use three literary devices in particular—known as symbol , motif , and leitwortstil —to emphasize or hint at a work's underlying themes. Spotting these elements at work in a text can help you know where to look for its main themes.

• Near the beginning of Romeo and Juliet , Benvolio promises to make Romeo feel better about Rosaline's rejection of him by introducing him to more beautiful women, saying "Compare [Rosaline's] face with some that I shall show….and I will make thee think thy swan a crow." Here, the swan is a symbol for how Rosaline appears to the adoring Romeo, while the crow is a symbol for how she will soon appear to him, after he has seen other, more beautiful women.
• Symbols might occur once or twice in a book or play to represent an emotion, and in that case aren't necessarily related to a theme. However, if you start to see clusters of similar symbols appearing in a story, this may mean that the symbols are part of an overarching motif, in which case they very likely are related to a theme.
• For example, Shakespeare uses the motif of "dark vs. light" in Romeo and Juliet to emphasize one of the play's main themes: the contradictory nature of love. To develop this theme, Shakespeare describes the experience of love by pairing contradictory, opposite symbols next to each other throughout the play: not only crows and swans, but also night and day, moon and sun. These paired symbols all fall into the overall pattern of "dark vs. light," and that overall pattern is called a motif.
• A famous example is Kurt Vonnegut's repetition of the phrase "So it goes" throughout his novel Slaughterhouse Five , a novel which centers around the events of World War II. Vonnegut's narrator repeats the phrase each time he recounts a tragic story from the war, an effective demonstration of how the horrors of war have become normalized for the narrator. The constant repetition of the phrase emphasizes the novel's primary themes: the death and destruction of war, and the futility of trying to prevent or escape such destruction, and both of those things coupled with the author's skepticism that any of the destruction is necessary and that war-time tragedies "can't be helped."

Symbol, motif and leitwortstil are simply techniques that authors use to emphasize themes, and should not be confused with the actual thematic content at which they hint. That said, spotting these tools and patterns can give you valuable clues as to what might be the underlying themes of a work.

Thematic Concepts vs. Thematic Statements

A work's thematic concept is the broader topic it touches upon—for instance:

• Forgiveness

while its thematic statement is the particular argument the writer makes about that topic through his or her work, such as:

• Human judgement is imperfect.
• Love cannot be bought.
• Getting revenge on someone else will not fix your problems.
• Learning to forgive is part of becoming an adult.

Should You Use Thematic Concepts or Thematic Statements?

Some people argue that when describing a theme in a work that simply writing a thematic concept is insufficient, and that instead the theme must be described in a full sentence as a thematic statement. Other people argue that a thematic statement, being a single sentence, usually creates an artificially simplistic description of a theme in a work and is therefore can actually be more misleading than helpful. There isn't really a right answer in this debate.

In our LitCharts literature study guides , we usually identify themes in headings as thematic concepts, and then explain the theme more fully in a few paragraphs. We find thematic statements limiting in fully exploring or explaining a the theme, and so we don't use them. Please note that this doesn't mean we only rely on thematic concepts—we spend paragraphs explaining a theme after we first identify a thematic concept. If you are asked to describe a theme in a text, you probably should usually try to at least develop a thematic statement about the text if you're not given the time or space to describe it more fully. For example, a statement that a book is about "the senselessness of violence" is a lot stronger and more compelling than just saying that the book is about "violence."

Identifying Thematic Statements

One way to try to to identify or describe the thematic statement within a particular work is to think through the following aspects of the text:

• Plot: What are the main plot elements in the work, including the arc of the story, setting, and characters. What are the most important moments in the story? How does it end? How is the central conflict resolved?
• Protagonist: Who is the main character, and what happens to him or her? How does he or she develop as a person over the course of the story?
• Prominent symbols and motifs: Are there any motifs or symbols that are featured prominently in the work—for example, in the title, or recurring at important moments in the story—that might mirror some of the main themes?

After you've thought through these different parts of the text, consider what their answers might tell you about the thematic statement the text might be trying to make about any given thematic concept. The checklist above shouldn't be thought of as a precise formula for theme-finding, but rather as a set of guidelines, which will help you ask the right questions and arrive at an interesting thematic interpretation.

Theme Examples

The following examples not only illustrate how themes develop over the course of a work of literature, but they also demonstrate how paying careful attention to detail as you read will enable you to come to more compelling conclusions about those themes.

Themes in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald explores many themes in The Great Gatsby , among them the corruption of the American Dream .

• The story's narrator is Minnesota-born Nick Caraway, a New York bonds salesman. Nick befriends Jay Gatsby, the protagonist, who is a wealthy man who throws extravagant parties at his mansion.
• The central conflict of the novel is Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy, whom he met and fell in love with as a young man, but parted from during World War I.
• He makes a fortune illegally by bootlegging alcohol, to become the sort of wealthy man he believes Daisy is attracted to, then buys a house near her home, where she lives with her husband.
• While he does manage to re-enter Daisy's life, she ultimately abandons him and he dies as a result of her reckless, selfish behavior.
• Gatsby's house is on the water, and he stares longingly across the water at a green light that hangs at the edge of a dock at Daisy's house which sits across a the bay. The symbol of the light appears multiple times in the novel—during the early stages of Gatsby's longing for Daisy, during his pursuit of her, and after he dies without winning her love. It symbolizes both his longing for daisy and the distance between them (the distance of space and time) that he believes (incorrectly) that he can bridge. 
• In addition to the green light, the color green appears regularly in the novel. This motif of green broadens and shapes the symbolism of the green light and also influences the novel's themes. While green always remains associated with Gatsby's yearning for Daisy and the past, and also his ambitious striving to regain Daisy, it also through the motif of repeated green becomes associated with money, hypocrisy, and destruction. Gatsby's yearning for Daisy, which is idealistic in some ways, also becomes clearly corrupt in others, which more generally impacts what the novel is saying about dreams more generally and the American Dream in particular. 

Gatsby pursues the American Dream, driven by the idea that hard work can lead anyone from poverty to wealth, and he does so for a single reason: he's in love with Daisy. However, he pursues the dream dishonestly, making a fortune by illegal means, and ultimately fails to achieve his goal of winning Daisy's heart. Furthermore, when he actually gets close to winning Daisy's heart, she brings about his downfall. Through the story of Gatsby and Daisy, Fitzgerald expresses the point of view that the American Dream carries at its core an inherent corruption. You can read more about the theme of The American Dream in The Great Gatsby here .

Themes in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

In Things Fall Apart , Chinua Achebe explores the theme of the dangers of rigidly following tradition .

• Okonkwo is obsessed with embodying the masculine ideals of traditional Igbo warrior culture.
• Okonkwo's dedication to his clan's traditions is so extreme that it even alienates members of his own family, one of whom joins the Christians.
• The central conflict: Okonkwo's community adapts to colonization in order to survive, becoming less warlike and allowing the minor injustices that the colonists inflict upon them to go unchallenged. Okonkwo, however, refuses to adapt.
• At the end of the novel, Okonkwo impulsively kills a Christian out of anger. Recognizing that his community does not support his crime, Okonkwo kills himself in despair.
• Clanswomen who give birth to twins abandon the babies in the forest to die, according to traditional beliefs that twins are evil.
• Okonkwo kills his beloved adopted son, a prisoner of war, according to the clan's traditions.
• Okonkwo sacrifices a goat in repentence, after severely beating his wife during the clan's holy week.

Through the tragic story of Okonkwo, Achebe is clearly dealing with the theme of tradition, but a close examination of the text reveals that he's also making a clear thematic statement that following traditions too rigidly leads people to the greatest sacrifice of all: that of personal agency . You can read more about this theme in Things Fall Apart   here .

Themes in Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken

Poem's have themes just as plot-driven narratives do. One theme that Robert Frost explores in this famous poem,  The Road Not Taken ,  is the illusory nature of free will .

• The poem's speaker stands at a fork in the road, in a "yellow wood."
• He (or she) looks down one path as far as possible, then takes the other, which seems less worn.
• The speaker then admits that the paths are about equally worn—there's really no way to tell the difference—and that a layer of leaves covers both of the paths, indicating that neither has been traveled recently.
• After taking the second path, the speaker finds comfort in the idea of taking the first path sometime in the future, but acknowledges that he or she is unlikely to ever return to that particular fork in the woods.
• The speaker imagines how, "with a sigh" she will tell someone in the future, "I took the road less travelled—and that has made all the difference."
• By wryly predicting his or her own need to romanticize, and retroactively justify, the chosen path, the speaker injects the poem with an unmistakeable hint of irony .
• The speaker's journey is a symbol for life, and the two paths symbolize different life paths, with the road "less-travelled" representing the path of an individualist or lone-wolf. The fork where the two roads diverge represents an important life choice. The road "not taken" represents the life path that the speaker would have pursued had he or she had made different choices.

Frost's speaker has reached a fork in the road, which—according to the symbolic language of the poem—means that he or she must make an important life decision. However, the speaker doesn't really know anything about the choice at hand: the paths appear to be the same from the speaker's vantage point, and there's no way he or she can know where the path will lead in the long term. By showing that the only truly informed choice the speaker makes is how he or she explains their decision after they have already made it , Frost suggests that although we pretend to make our own choices, our lives are actually governed by chance.

What's the Function of Theme in Literature?

Themes are a huge part of what readers ultimately take away from a work of literature when they're done reading it. They're the universal lessons and ideas that we draw from our experiences of works of art: in other words, they're part of the whole reason anyone would want to pick up a book in the first place!

It would be difficult to write any sort of narrative that did not include any kind of theme. The narrative itself would have to be almost completely incoherent in order to seem theme-less, and even then readers would discern a theme about incoherence and meaninglessness. So themes are in that sense an intrinsic part of nearly all writing. At the same time, the themes that a writer is interested in exploring will significantly impact nearly all aspects of how a writer chooses to write a text. Some writers might know the themes they want to explore from the beginning of their writing process, and proceed from there. Others might have only a glimmer of an idea, or have new ideas as they write, and so the themes they address might shift and change as they write. In either case, though, the writer's ideas about his or her themes will influence how they write. 

One additional key detail about themes and how they work is that the process of identifying and interpreting them is often very personal and subjective. The subjective experience that readers bring to interpreting a work's themes is part of what makes literature so powerful: reading a book isn't simply a one-directional experience, in which the writer imparts their thoughts on life to the reader, already distilled into clear thematic statements. Rather, the process of reading and interpreting a work to discover its themes is an exchange in which readers parse the text to tease out the themes they find most relevant to their personal experience and interests.

Other Helpful Theme Resources

• The Wikipedia Page on Theme: An in-depth explanation of theme that also breaks down the difference between thematic concepts and thematic statements.
• The Dictionary Definition of Theme: A basic definition and etymology of the term.
• In this instructional video , a teacher explains her process for helping students identify themes.

• Dynamic Character
• Climax (Plot)
• Point of View
• Anthropomorphism
• Figure of Speech
• Rhetorical Question
• Protagonist
• Juxtaposition
• Slant Rhyme

• Quizzes, saving guides, requests, plus so much more.

How to Write a Thematic Essay

A thematic essay explores a central message or theme that runs through a piece of literature, a historical event, or even a societal trend. It analyzes evidence like characters' actions, plot development, or real-world examples to explain how this matter is revealed and unpack its significance, showing a deeper understanding of the subject at hand.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what is a thematic essay :

• Analyzes a central message (theme) in a text.
• Explains how the text explores that theme.
• Uses evidence (quotes, details) to support your analysis.
• Shows how the evidence connects to the overall theme.

This article explains how to craft a thematic essay by analyzing a central theme in a text, using evidence like quotes and thematic essay examples to support analysis. It provides step-by-step guidance, from understanding the theme to structuring an essay effectively.

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Dissecting a text's central message and how it unfolds can be a rewarding challenge. Here's a step-by-step breakdown to conquer your next thematic essay:

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Thematic Essay Checklist

• State a focused main argument about the theme.
• Hook the reader and introduce the theme.
• Begin each with a clear topic sentence related to the theme.
• Use specific examples, quotes, or facts.
• Explain how the evidence supports the thesis.
• Link analysis back to the central theme throughout.
• Ensure paragraphs and ideas progress logically.
• Summarize key points and restate the thesis.
• Check for clarity, coherence, and grammar.
• Properly cite sources used.

How to Pick a Thematic Topic

A crucial aspect of writing a good thematic essay is choosing a theme. Follow the hints listed below to help you create a thematic topic:

Thematic Essay Topics

Picking the right theme for your essay can really shape how engaging and insightful it turns out. The topic you choose will guide your whole approach, letting you dive deep into meaningful ideas that connect with your readers. 

To help you get started, here are some thematic essay topics that offer plenty of room for exploration:

• Star-Crossed Fate: Destiny in "Romeo and Juliet"
• Gatsby's Illusion: The Mirage of the American Dream
• Thoreau's Call to Action: Civil Disobedience and Its Echoes
• Grit and Grind: Industrial Strife in "Hard Times"
• Monster or Man? Isolation in "Frankenstein"
• Voices of Change: The Civil Rights Movement Unveiled
• Big Brother's Watch: Propaganda in "1984"
• Silent Scars: The Aftermath of War in "All Quiet on the Western Front"
• Pride, Prejudice, and Power: Women in Austen's World
• Cultural Cracks: Colonialism in "Things Fall Apart"
• Echoes of Justice: Moral Struggles in "To Kill a Mockingbird"
• Surviving Hard Times: Life During the Great Depression
• Invisible Chains: Identity in "Invisible Man"
• Worlds Apart: Control and Conformity in "Brave New World"
• Chains of Oppression: Freedom in "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
• Hester's Burden: Sin and Redemption in "The Scarlet Letter"
• Wired Society: The Tech Revolution's Impact
• Vengeance and Virtue: The Journey in "The Count of Monte Cristo"
• Island Power Struggles: Leadership in "Lord of the Flies"
• Dreams of Freedom: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Enduring Impact
• Survival and Humanity: The Struggle in "The Road"
• The Power of Words: Propaganda in "Animal Farm"
• Isolation and Madness: The Descent in "The Yellow Wallpaper"
• Social Class and Ambition: The Divide in "Great Expectations"
• The Burden of Guilt: Consequences in "Crime and Punishment"
• The Quest for Freedom: Oppression in "The Handmaid’s Tale"
• Family Ties: Loyalty and Betrayal in "King Lear"
• The Corruption of Power: Greed in "The Lord of the Rings"
• The American Dream: Reality vs. Illusion in "Death of a Salesman"
• War and Its Aftermath: Trauma in "The Things They Carried"

How to Start a Thematic Essay

Knowing how to start a thematic essay is key to setting the right tone for your entire paper. Every strong thematic essay begins with a captivating introduction that grabs the reader's attention right from the start:

• Hook the reader: Grab their attention with a thought-provoking question, a relevant quote, or an interesting anecdote related to the theme.
• Introduce the topic: Briefly mention the literary work you'll be analyzing.
• State the theme: Clearly identify the central theme you'll be exploring.
• Preview the analysis: Briefly hint at how the theme is developed in the work.

Here's an example of a thematic essay introduction:

“Have you ever wondered why some stories keep coming back to the idea of forgiveness? In Harper Lee's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird , the seemingly simple town of Maycomb grapples with racial injustice. However, beneath the surface lies a powerful exploration of the theme of forgiveness, where characters must confront their own prejudices and learn to let go of resentment. This essay will analyze how Lee uses character interactions, symbolism, and the trial of Tom Robinson to demonstrate the transformative power of forgiveness.”

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Thematic Essay Outline

A thematic essay structure has several key components. Primarily, it should be five paragraphs or more, depending on the depth of the theme. Next, it should have a concrete thesis statement, which is the thematic statement that comes from the main subject.

The introduction presents the reader with the subject and the thesis statement. The body paragraphs each discuss one literary element or more to defend the validity of your thesis, all the while providing many supporting details from the text itself. 

Lastly, the thematic essay conclusion summarizes the main points presented and finishes off with a statement of significance.

Learn more: How to create a winning outline .

Introduction

When you sit down to write a thematic essay, it’s good to start by laying out the basics: What is a thematic essay? It’s an essay where you dig into a specific theme and explore it from different angles within a text. 

The thematic essay introduction presents the main subject of discussion captivatingly. The first sentence of the intro should be a hook statement that makes some intriguing claims about the subject of discussion. If done correctly, this will grab your reader's attention. 

As you start your essay, try to catch your reader’s attention with something that ties directly into your theme, like a quote. For instance, if you're focusing on the theme of identity in To Kill a Mockingbird , you might use a quote like, “You never really understand a person … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” 

This not only sets the tone but also smoothly leads into your thematic thesis statement. Keep things clear and straightforward so your readers know exactly what theme you’ll be diving into.

Then, provide any necessary background information from the literature to help the audience understand your claims later. Lastly, put together a well-thought-out thesis statement that reflects the novel's central theme.

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs follow a thematic essay format. Since each body paragraph’s purpose should be to present a literary device as evidence, the topic sentence should introduce the claim and gateway into the evidence. Every topic sentence must mention a literary device and its relationship to the literature.

When you’re writing the body of your thematic essay, you’ve got some flexibility. You can use two, three, or even four paragraphs — whatever it takes to cover your theme without dragging things out. Just make sure everything you include is relevant and adds value to your argument.

Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that gets straight to the point. Stick to the facts and avoid slipping in personal opinions. For example, if you’re exploring the theme of justice in To Kill a Mockingbird , mention specific events like Tom Robinson’s trial, focusing on the key details and backing them up with evidence from the text.

Make sure to explain and analyze the points you bring up. Help your readers understand why these details matter. For instance, you could discuss how the trial scene highlights the deep-rooted racial inequalities of the time, making the theme of justice clear and powerful.

The key to a strong thematic essay structure is thoroughly evaluating your main points. This will help you build a strong case for your thesis.

Afterward, to validate your claim, use examples from the book that strengthen the reasoning of your statement. These can be actions from the plot or quotations parallel with the central theme. Explaining how the action/quote links back to your thesis statement is imperative, as it shows that you can support your logic.

Remember : Each claim must use a literary device. It can not just be a random moment or inference. Thematic essays are all about proving thesis statements through critical literary devices.

The thematic essay conclusion has three main objectives before wrapping up the paper. It should not present any new information or facts but summarize the information already given. First of all, restate your thesis statement in a new way. 

Then, summarize the central claims you made within the body of your paper and their influence on the thesis statement. To finish off the entire work, present an overall concluding statement with a global analysis of the subject. Leave your reader with another hook, making him/her interested in digging deeper into the topic.

Proofreading and Taking Advice

Once you’ve wrapped up writing your thematic essays, it’s time to give them a good review. 

Start by going through your essay carefully, checking it against the rubric your professor gave you. For example, if your essay is on the theme of power in 1984 , make sure every point you’ve made is backed by solid evidence from the text and that it fits what the rubric asks for.

Next, get a second opinion. Ask a friend or classmate to read your essay. They might catch something you missed, like a theme that needs more explanation or an example that doesn’t quite hit the mark. 

Don’t be shy about asking your teacher for feedback, too. They can offer valuable advice, especially if they know the theme well. This step is all about crafting your essay as strong and clear as possible. It’s easier to cut down extra details later, so don’t be afraid to add more substance where needed.

Learn more: Poetry analysis essay . 

Try also read an article on poetry analysis essay , it could be useful and can give you new insights.

Thematic Essay Example: How to Write Guide

The best way to familiarize yourself with this type of writing is to learn from thematic essay examples. In this section, we’re going to walk you through how to craft an essay using a real example. By breaking down the steps and showing you exactly how it’s done, this thematic essay example will give you a clear idea of how to approach your own essay.

Thematic Essay Introduction

When figuring out how to write a thematic essay, starting with a solid introduction is crucial. A solid thematic essay introduction should introduce the theme, give some background, and present your thesis in a way that’s easy to follow.

Let’s say you’re writing about Athens and Sparta. 

• You’d want to kick things off by briefly mentioning that these two ancient Greek cities, though close in distance, were worlds apart in terms of culture, lifestyle, and politics. This sets the scene and lets your readers know what to expect.
• Next, you’ll want to give a bit of background to help your readers understand why this comparison is significant. You might explain how the differences between Athens and Sparta shaped their citizens' lives and left a lasting mark on Western civilization. This gives context to the discussion that will follow in the body of your essay.
• Finally, wrap up your introduction with your thesis statement—the main point you’ll be arguing throughout the essay. For the Athens vs. Sparta example, your thesis could focus on how their differing values and political systems influenced their historical legacy.

Thematic Essay Main Body

The main body of your essay is where you really get into the heart of your argument. This is the part where you present the evidence that supports your thesis, using facts, examples, and analysis to make your points clear and convincing. 

Let’s break down how to structure this section with the Athens vs. Sparta example, while following a strong thematic essay format.

• Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that connects directly to your thesis. For instance, if you’re focusing on the different political systems in Athens and Sparta, you might begin with something like, “One of the key differences between Athens and Sparta was how they governed their citizens.”
• After setting up the main idea of the paragraph, back it up with specific evidence. You could explain how Athens operated under a democratic system, where citizens had a voice in government decisions. In contrast, Sparta was more oligarchic, with two kings holding power. 
• Once you’ve laid out the evidence, take a moment to analyze it. Show how these differences in governance reflected the broader values of each city-state and contributed to their unique identities. This is where you connect the dots and demonstrate how the details support your overall thesis.

Thematic Essay Conclusion

Wrapping up your thematic essay is about bringing your ideas full circle and reinforcing the points you've made throughout the paper. A good thematic essay conclusion should tie everything together, restate your thesis with the insights gained, and leave your reader with a strong final thought.

• Start by briefly going over the main points you made in your essay. Think of this as a quick reminder for the reader about what you’ve covered. For example, if your essay compared Athens and Sparta, you’d mention how their different political systems and values shaped their cultures and identities.
• Next, take your original theme thesis and rephrase it to reflect what you’ve discussed. Don’t just repeat your thesis word-for-word but show how your essay has proven it. For example, you might say, “The unique political and cultural systems of Athens and Sparta not only defined their societies but also left a lasting mark on Western civilization.”
• End with a closing thought that ties everything together. It could be a reflection on why these themes are still relevant today or just a simple statement that emphasizes the importance of what you’ve discussed.

Wrap Things Up

Thematic essays are a powerful tool for students. They unlock deeper meaning in texts, sharpen critical thinking and analytical skills, and build strong writing foundations.

Writing thematic essays doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by choosing a theme that resonates with you, then structure your essay with a clear introduction, detailed body paragraphs, and a strong conclusion. Use evidence from your text to support your thesis and make sure to review your work for clarity and flow. Finally, don’t forget to check your citations and formatting.

Before submitting your thematic essay, cross off all these items from the to-do list.

Learn more: Jem Finch character traits .

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What Is a Thematic Essay?

How to write a thematic essay, what is the main point of a thematic essay.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• Updated writing steps.
• Added new topics.
• Added a new example.
• Added a checklist.
• https://www.wboro.org/cms/lib/NY01914047/Centricity/Domain/1006/Thematic%20Essays%20Helpful%20Hints.pdf
• Thematic Essay - Regents Exam Rubric  | New Visions - Social Studies. (n.d.). New Visions - Social Studies. https://curriculum.newvisions.org/social-studies/resources/resource/thematic-essay-regents-exam-rubric/
• How to Structure Your Essay Introduction | Essay Writing Part 2. (2023, October 31). Matrix Education. https://www.matrix.edu.au/essay-writing-guide/how-to-structure-your-essay-introduction/  

• Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Theme and Topic

There are many who believe that topic and theme are one and the same thing. But this is not true, a topic is the main title, usually, written as a heading of the work. It is something which is described, explained or narrated through the story, essay or report.

On the contrary, theme refers to the salient hidden message or idea that the literary work of the author attempts to explore. It acts as a foundation of the entire story. It reflects the writer’s view or opinion on something, which is envisioned in the work. Let’s move further to talk about the difference between theme and topic.

Content: Theme Vs Topic

Comparison chart, definition of theme.

The theme can be understood as the idea or subject-matter, around which the entire story revolves and can be expressed in a single word such as love, betrayal, happiness, honesty, bravery, hard work, etc. It is the hidden message or the bottom line of a literary work, which is presented impliedly, instead of stating explicitly.

A literary work can contain multiple themes. Themes are based on classical or cross-culturally acceptable ideas, such as questions relating to ethics and morals.

One can identify the theme of the work, on the basis of its characters, plot, dialogue, setting (location), conflict (struggle encountered by the main lead) or combination thereof. Themes are universal in the sense that it is not applicable to a single case, rather it can be applied in a pervasive way.

Further, themes are categorized into thematic concepts and thematic statements. Thematic concepts are the overall concept, which reflects the view of the readers about the work, i.e. what they think the work is about, hence, it is conditional to the readers. On the contrary, the thematic statement describes what the literary work states about the topic, which the writer explains.

Definition of Topic

Topic refers to the main subject of discussion in the literary work. It is the phrase or word which the writer talks or writes about in the essay, story or speech. It is the focus, which regulates the direction of our literature. Basically, the article, essay or story is the explanation of the topic on which they are written. It can be an issue, idea, principle or question which the rest of the text explains.

The topic is the highlight, which tells you what the material contains, as the topic is always related to the content and plot. It is clearly mentioned in any script, to reflect the primary focus of any piece of writing.

Topics should be unique, simple and interesting so that it can draw the attention of the reader. Many writers pick the topics which are very common and relatable so that the readers can associate with it easily, while others go for the topics which are rare. In short, we can say that the writer chooses a topic that enables the reader to have a quick and rough idea of the literature, depending on the audience he/she wants to target.

Key Differences Between Theme and Topic

The points given below are substantial so far as the difference between theme and topic is concerned:

• The topic is nothing but the main subject of the story which the writer discusses or talks about in the work. On the contrary, the theme is the abstract or controlling idea of the literary work, which the author wants to convey with the help of the story or essay.
• The theme is universal in nature, i.e. theme contains a message, which is not just applicable in one case, rather, it is applicable in many circumstances. Conversely, the topic is unique, in the sense that the writer makes thorough research before choosing any topic, so as to come up with a distinctive topic, which the readers are curious to read.
• The theme can be described as the hidden message which is pervaded through the work. In contrast, topic determines the main title or subject of the work, which is picked by the reader, keeping in mind the reader’s interest and their attention.
• Theme specifies what the writer of the story or essay wants to convey to its audience with the help of the material. As against, topic specifies what the story or essay is all about.
• The theme is inherent in the story, which the reader has to understand, as it is not directly stated, but the entire story revolves around it. On the other hand, the topic is clearly mentioned at the top of the work, to grab the attention of the readers, as well as give them an idea about the story.

While topics are expressly stated in any essay, report, story or novel, themes are not directly stated, rather, they are assumed by the readers, from the work as it is easily recognizable. In a nutshell, we can say that topic is the issue or any subject which is being discussed in the material, whereas theme is the basic message or perception behind the entire piece of writing.

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Jolene Tran says

October 3, 2021 at 4:52 am

Thanks for your useful sharing so much!

Ms. Abbie says

October 1, 2022 at 2:01 pm

Thank you for your clear explanation, especially about the part on themes categorized into thematic concepts and thematic statements. The kids find it a little bit confusing sometimes whether they will give a word or phrase for a theme or a statement.

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• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Themes

I. What is Theme?

One of the first questions to ask upon hearing someone has written a story is, “What’s it about?” or “What’s the point?” Short answers may range from love to betrayal or from the coming of age to the haziness of memory. The central idea, topic, or point of a story, essay, or narrative is its theme .

II. Examples of Theme

A man, fueled by an urge for power and control due to his own pride, builds a supercomputer. That supercomputer then takes over the world, causing chaos and struggle galore.

This sci-fi style story contains many common themes. A few of its themes include:

• Danger of excessive pride
• The risky relationship between humankind and developing technology

A boy and a girl fall in love. The boy is forced to join the army and fights to survive in a war-torn country as his beloved waits at home. When he returns from war, the two are united and married.

The love story also has many common themes in literature:

• The power of true love
• Fate, which sometimes tears lovers apart and then joins them together

As can be seen from these examples, themes can range widely from ideas, as large as love and war, to others as specific as the relationship between humankind and technology.

III. Types of Theme

Just as a life is not constantly immersed in love, the pursuit of knowledge, or the struggle of the individual versus society, themes are not always constantly present in a story or composition. Rather, they weave in and out, can disappear entirely, or appear surprisingly mid-read. This is because there are two types of themes: major and minor themes.

a. Major Themes

Major themes are, just as they sound, the more important and enduring themes of the narrative. Major themes are the most significant themes of the story, and often they are a part of the entire story. A book on war would have the major theme of war’s effect on humanity, whereas a romance novel would have the major theme of love.

b. Minor Themes

Minor themes are, on the other hand, less important and less enduring. They may appear for part of the narrative only to be replaced by another minor theme later in the narrative. They provide discussion points for a chapter or two, but do not color the entire story. A book on war may have minor themes such as the home front’s reaction to war or the political aspects of war. A romance novel may have minor themes such as flirtation, marriage, and fidelity.

IV. The Importance of Using Theme

The importance of using theme in narrative is unparalleled. The theme is the underlining idea an author is trying to convey to an audience. A story without major ideas for the character and reader to experience, think through, and learn from is not a story at all. A story, by its very nature, must have a theme, sometimes many major and minor themes, all throughout. Themes are the ideas book clubs, poets, playwrights, literature students, film enthusiasts, movie-makers, and creative writers mull over in-depth. They are the meaning behind the entire story, the deeper reasons that the story has been written and shared.

V. Examples of Theme in Literature

Theme is a prominent element in literature. Here are a few examples of theme in poetry and prose:

“i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)” by E. E. Cummings:

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)i am never without it(anywhere i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)                                                       i fear no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true) and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you   here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart   i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

This poem’s major theme is clear: love. Minor themes include fate, togetherness, and desire.

Atonement by Ian McEwan is an example of a novel whose theme is its title. Here are a few revealing excerpts:

How can a novelist achieve atonement when, with her absolute power of deciding outcomes, she is also God? There is no one, no entity or higher form that she can appeal to, or be reconciled with, or that can forgive There is nothing outside her. In her imagination she has set the limits and the terms. No atonement for God, or novelists, even if they are atheists. It was always an impossible task, and that was precisely the point. The attempt was all.

This section reveals the main theme of atonement along with other minor themes such as the life of the writer and forgiveness.

VI. Examples of Theme in Pop Culture

Just as literary narratives require themes, songs, movies, and television shows do as well. Here are a few examples of theme in pop culture:

The trailer shows that the main theme of Godzilla is nature, as a powerful and destructive force to be reckoned with. Other themes include the human effect on nature, fear of the unknown, and hubris.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

The main theme of this movie is positivity in the face of a bad day, as they happen to all of us. Other themes include family, perseverance, and love.

VII. Related Terms

Because themes encompass main ideas in a narrative, they have many similar elements which do similar things for a narrative. Here are a few examples:

“And the moral of the story is…” As many fables and tales go, morals are a necessary element. They are the main message or lesson to be learned from reading a cautionary story. Although themes and morals are both major ideas in a story, they are different in that themes do not necessarily serve to teach a lesson, whereas morals always do. A theme is simply an idea to be examined, whereas a moral is a clear lesson to be learned. Here is an example of theme versus moral:

Love others the way you would like to be loved.

Whereas the theme is simply an idea, the moral is a message and instruction.

Motifs work in a story to emphasize the theme, and for this reason, is sometimes confused with the theme. Motifs are recurring images, objects, or ideas that highlight the theme. Here is one example of how motif works with theme:

A man is struggling with regret throughout a story. Motifs like dark dreams, repetitive thoughts, and dark lighting emphasize the mood and pervasiveness of the regret.

Whereas the theme is a larger idea, the motifs are smaller elements of a story which repeat in order to reflect that idea.

VIII. In Closing

Themes are the ideas that run through narratives, enlivening them with deeper meaning to be found in real life and fiction alike. They create stories that are not dull but compelling and emotional.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

Definition of Theme

As a literary device, theme refers to the central, deeper meaning of a written work. Writers typically will convey the theme of their work, and allow the reader to perceive and interpret it, rather than overtly or directly state the theme. As readers infer, reflect, and analyze a literary theme, they develop a greater understanding of the work itself and can apply this understanding beyond the literary work as a means of grasping a better sense of the world. Theme is often what creates a memorable and significant experience of a literary work for the reader.

Themes are often subject to the reader’s perception and interpretation. This means that readers may find primary and/or secondary themes in a work of literature that the author didn’t intend to convey. Therefore, theme allows for literature to remain meaningful, “living” works that can be revisited and analyzed in perpetuity by many readers at once or by a single reader across time.

For example, William Shakespeare ’s well-known tragedy ,  Romeo and Juliet , has been performed and read countless times and by countless people since its publication in 1597:

Come, gentle night ; come, loving, black-browed night; Give me my Romeo; and, when I shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night

Even those who have not directly heard or read the lines of this play are familiar with its theme of the power of romantic love and its potentially devastating effects.

Common Examples of Literary Themes

Many works of literature share common themes and central ideas. As a literary device, theme allows the author to present and reveal all aspects of human nature and the human condition. This enhances the enjoyment and significance of a literary work for readers by encouraging thought, interpretation, and analysis. Discovery and analysis of theme is also one of the primary reasons that readers return to “classic” literary works that are centuries old. There is no end or expiration to the significance and impact theme can have on readers of literature.

Here are some common examples of literary themes:

• Human versus nature
• Good versus evil
• Coming of age
• Courage and perseverance
• Individual versus society
• Faith versus doubt
• Chaos versus order
• Gender roles

Famous Examples of Disney Movies and Their Themes

Of course, theme is an essential literary device in terms of written works. However, nearly all works of art feature theme as an underlying meaning to be understood and interpreted by the audience . Here are some famous examples of Disney movies and their related themes:

• Peter Pan : out-growing the world of childhood
• Mulan : girls/women can do battle as honorably as boys/men
• The Sword in the Stone : education and courage are stronger than brawn and force
• Cinderella : kindness and inner beauty are rewarded
• Pinocchio : dishonesty leads to trouble
• Aladdin : the best course of action is to be who you are
• The Rescuers : it doesn’t take great size to make a difference
• Snow White : jealousy can lead to cruelty
• The Fox and the Hound : the importance of friendship
• The Little Mermaid : love often requires choices and sacrifices

Difference Between Theme and Subject Matter

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the difference between the theme and subject matter of a literary work. They are both closely related to each other; however, the subject matter is the topic that is overtly addressed and presented by the writer whereas the theme is the meaning or underlying message that is imparted through the writing.

The subject matter of a written work is what the text is about and is, typically, clearly indicated by the writer. The theme of a literary work reflects why it was written and what the author hopes to convey on a deeper level to the reader without direct statements. A reader may infer and a writer may imply a theme within a literary work. However, the subject matter of a literary work is not inferred by the reader or implied by the writer; it is overtly stated and understood.

For example, in Shakespeare’s  Romeo and Juliet , the subject matter is two young people from feuding families who fall deeply in love with each other. One theme of this play, and Romeo and Juliet certainly features several themes, is the power of romantic love and the futility of others to stop it. The subject matter is almost exclusively related to the foundational elements of the story , such as what happens and to which characters. The theme, in contrast , is the lingering meaning and thought left to the reader as a means of reaching a greater understanding of the play itself and the larger concept of love.

Examples of Theme in Literature

As a literary device, the purpose of theme is the main idea or underlying meaning that is explored by a writer in a work of literature. Writers can utilize a combination of elements in order to convey a story’s theme, including setting , plot , characters, dialogue , and more. For certain works of literature, such as fables , the theme is typically a “ moral ” or lesson for the reader. However, more complex works of literature tend to have a central theme that is open to interpretation and reflects a basic aspect of society or trait of humanity. Many longer works of literature, such as novels, convey several themes in order to explore the universality of human nature.

Here are some examples of theme in well-known works of literature:

Example 1:  The Yellow Wall-Paper  (Charlotte Perkins Gilman)

If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression – a slight hysterical tendency – what is one to do? My brother is also a physician, and also of high standing, and he says the same thing. • So I take phosphates or phosphites whichever it is, and tonics, and journeys, and air, and exercise, and am absolutely forbidden to “work” until I am well again. Personally, I disagree with their ideas. Personally, I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good.

In her short story , Charlotte Perkins Gilman holds forth a revolutionary theme for the time period. The protagonist of the story is kept in a room with sickly yellow wall-paper as a means of “curing” her emotional and mental difficulties. Her husband, brother, and others are committed to keeping her idle. She is even separated from her baby. Rather than allow the narrator any agency over her daily life, they disregard her words and requests for the fact that she is a woman and considered incompetent.

Gilman conveys a theme of rebellion and feminism to the reader as the narrator begins to embrace the “trapped” woman she has become. Therefore, this allows the reader to perceive the narrator as an empowered figure in many ways, as opposed to one that is oppressed or incompetent.

Example 2:  Harlem  (Langston Hughes)

What happens to a dream deferred?       Does it dry up       like a raisin in the sun ?       Or fester like a sore—       And then run?       Does it stink like rotten meat?       Or crust and sugar over—       like a syrupy sweet?       Maybe it just sags       like a heavy load.        Or does it explode?

Hughes’s well-known poem explores the universality of hope and dreams among humans and the devastating legacy of oppression in deferring such hope and dreams. Hughes structures the poem in the form of questions and responses addressing what happens to a dream deferred. This calls on the reader to consider their own dreams as well those of others, which underscores the theme that dreams, and the hope associated with them, is universal–regardless of race, faith, etc.

Tied to this theme is the deferment of dreams, reflecting the devastating consequences of racism and oppression on the hopes of those who are persecuted. Therefore, the underlying theme of the poem that Hughes conveys to the reader is that, though dreams and hopes are universal, the dreams and hopes of certain members of society are put off and postponed due to the oppression of their race.

Example 3:  A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man  (James Joyce)

I will tell you what I will do and what I will not do. I will not serve that in which I no longer believe, whether it calls itself my home, my fatherland, or my church: and I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can, using for my defense the only arms I allow myself to use — silence , exile , and cunning.

Joyce incorporates several themes in his novel . However, as this passage indicates, the central theme of this literary work is the tension between individual artistic expression the demands of society for conformity. The novel’s main character , Stephen Dedalus, faces conflicting loyalties on one side to his family, church, and country, and on the other side to his life as an artist and dedication to artistic expression.

Through the experiences and conflicts facing the novel’s protagonist, Joyce is able to convey his exploration of the theme of the artist’s role in society. This includes freedom of individual expression versus the constraints of societal conventions. As a result, this theme is imparted to the reader who is able to interpret and analyze aspects of the novel’s central meaning. By the end of Joyce’s novel, the theme culminates in Stephen Dedalus’s decision to isolate himself from family, church, and country, to pursue his art. Therefore, the reader’s inference of the novel’s theme impacts their perception and understanding of the story’s resolution as well as the broader concept of the artist’s role in society.

Related posts:

• Theme for English B
• 10 Different Themes in Taylor Swift Songs
• A Huge List of Common Themes
• Examples of Themes in Popular Songs
• Romeo and Juliet Themes
• Lord of the Flies Themes
• Jane Eyre Themes

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The Difference Between Topic and Theme

Sep 23, 2019 by Sara Letourneau published in Writing

“How is topic different from theme?” This question bubbled up while I was working on my previous Theme: A Story’s Soul post . Even though I briefly explained the difference between those two terms in that article, I realized the question deserved greater exploration. Then, as I began researching this subject (no pun intended!), I discovered something alarming:

Writers often confuse the terms “topic” and “theme” and, as a result, use them interchangeably.

The truth is, topic and theme are not the same. Each has a distinct role and function in the craft of writing – and one of them, oddly enough, is a means of infusing the other into our work. So today we’ll learn how to distinguish the differences between theme and topic and what we should keep in mind about both terms when we’re writing.

What Is a Theme? And What Is a Topic?

In our first Theme: A Story’s Soul post , we offered this working definition for “theme”:

An idea, concept, or lesson that appears repeatedly throughout a story, reflects the character’s internal journey through the external plot, and resonates with the reader.

In other words, a story’s themes are part of the story’s central message. Themes allow readers to look at the main conflict from a broader perspective. They reveal the universals that help readers connect with the characters. They raise questions and evoke emotions that cause us to laugh, cry, or say to ourselves, “I know exactly what this character is going through.”

So what, then, are a story’s topics? And how do they differ from themes?

In our recent post on identifying themes in the poetry we write , we introduced topic as the facts that explain what a poem – or a piece of writing in general – is about. It’s another word for “subject matter”; and it tends to be specific and concrete, while theme is more conceptual. As a result, a story’s topics are clearly stated and can be identified more easily than its themes.

Think about the difference between topic and theme in terms of the five Ws and one H (who, what, where, when, why, and how). We’ve already established that a story’s topics answer the question, “ What is this story about?” Theme, on the other hand, explores a story’s big picture and universal ideas, which reveal why these struggles matter to the characters and why they might matter to the readers as well. As a result, theme answers the question, “ Why is this story important?”

The most important difference between topic and theme, however, might surprise you: Topic is a vehicle for illustrating theme. When you demonstrate the facts of the story in action through the main conflict and character interactions, you don’t simply state those facts. Instead, you infuse deeper meaning into those facts by showing the challenges that your characters face during the story and their reactions and emotions along the way. In this way, the story’s “what” makes the “why” possible. The writer just needs to give it the right amount of attention and nurture throughout the process.

Questions to Ask When Identifying a Story’s Topics

Even though it’s easy to spot a story’s topics, it’s good to know what questions you should ask to help you identify them. So before getting started, here are some questions to keep in mind:

• Who is the story about?
• What is the main character’s story goal?
• What happens to the main character(s) during the story?
• What kinds of struggles, conflicts, or challenges are suggested by the title or jacket copy?
• What does the main character(s) do that’s important to the story’s outcome?
• How does the main character’s ethnicity, geographic location, passions, hardships, and other distinctive aspects influence what the story is about?
•  What words or phrases repeatedly come up in the jacket copy or the story’s text?

Notice anything about these questions? Several of them require information about the characters and the setting , since some of the story’s facts will answer the three remaining Ws: who, where, and when. In this way, these Ws provide additional context for the story’s topics that the “what” can’t always provide on its own.

Distinguishing Topic from Theme Using a Book’s Jacket Copy

Believe it or not, you can identify most (if not all) of a book’s topics by reading a book’s jacket copy. The trick, of course, is knowing what to look for – but that’s where the above list of questions comes in handy. (*wink*) So let’s try it using the jacket copy of this edition of Ruta Sepetys’s Between Shades of Gray :

Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they’ve known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin’s orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously–and at great risk–documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father’s prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives.

Concise as this example may be, it reveals these four topics of Between Shades of Gray :

• The Soviet Union’s genocide of the Baltic peoples of Eastern Europe during World War II, as implied by the year, location, and references to Joseph Stalin, the Soviets, and labor camps
• The separation of families during times of war, which is one of the challenges Lina will endure based on the jacket copy’s contents
• The hardships of life in labor / prison camps, another of the challenges that Lina will face as implied above
•   Art as a means of communication , thanks to Lina using drawings to deliver messages to her father

More topics will emerge as you read Between Shades of Gray . But once boiled down to their essences, these four facts hint at several of the book’s themes: war , morality and integrity , family , the power of art , and survival . They don’t hint at all of the themes ( love and sacrifice are also major themes in this story), but that’s to be expected. What is expected is that these topics tell the reader what the story is about – and they do, accurately and effectively.

What to Keep in Mind About Topic and Theme as You Write

The main thing to remember about topic is that it pertains to the story’s “what.” It’s driven by facts and specifics, whereas theme deals with the big picture and overall meaning that reveal why the story matters. So as you determine the topics and themes in your own work, ask yourself the questions that we posed earlier. What are the facts of your story? Who is it about? What kinds of conflicts does the protagonist face? How do the setting, time period, and other defining characteristics influence what happens?

Chances are you’ll identify your story’s topics just by reviewing your pitch, synopsis, or other summary that explains what your story is about. And once you do, you’ll find it easier to dig into the meat of your story – the characters, dialogue , plot points, and so on – and recognize the themes you’ve been cultivating all along.

How do you distinguish the difference between topic and theme? What are the topics of your current story? How do these topics usher in the story’s themes? And, of course, what are your story’s themes?

Sara Letourneau is a freelance editor and writing coach based in Massachusetts. She’s currently taking clients with manuscripts in speculative fiction, literary fiction, or YA, though she’s open to other genres as well. She’s also a poet whose work has appeared in Amethyst Review, Canary, Muddy River Poetry Review, Soul-Lit , and elsewhere. A Massachusetts resident, she can often be found performing her poems at local open mic nights, reading good books, and enjoying a cup of tea. Learn more about how Sara can help you with your writing at Heart of the Story Editorial & Coaching Services . You can also connect with her at her writer website , Twitter , Goodreads , or Instagram .

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