thematic essay themes

Essay Papers Writing Online

Tips and guidelines for crafting a strong thematic essay.

Writing a thematic essay can be a challenging task for many students, as it requires a deep understanding of the subject matter and the ability to connect different concepts in a coherent and meaningful way.

Whether you’re a high school student tackling your first thematic essay or a college student working on a more advanced assignment, mastering the art of writing a thematic essay is essential for academic success.

In this article, we will provide you with valuable tips and guidelines to help you navigate the process of writing a thematic essay with confidence and skill.

Mastering the Art of Writing a Thematic Essay

Writing a thematic essay requires a clear understanding of the topic and the ability to explore the central theme in depth. To master the art of writing a thematic essay, there are several key steps to follow:

• Choose a Relevant Theme: Select a theme that is significant and meaningful to the topic at hand. It should be broad enough to allow for in-depth analysis.
• Develop a Strong Thesis Statement: Your thesis statement should clearly state the main theme or argument of your essay. It will guide the direction of your essay and provide a focus for your analysis.
• Organize Your Ideas: Create an outline to organize your thoughts and ideas. This will help you structure your essay and ensure a logical flow of information.
• Provide Evidence and Examples: Support your thesis statement with evidence from the text or other sources. Use specific examples to illustrate your points and provide context for your analysis.
• Analyze the Theme: Analyze the theme in depth, exploring its significance and implications. Consider how the theme is developed throughout the text and its impact on the characters and plot.
• Draw Conclusions: Conclude your essay by summarizing your main points and reiterating the significance of the theme. Reflect on the broader implications of the theme and its relevance to the text as a whole.

By following these steps and practicing your writing skills, you can master the art of writing a thematic essay and provide a compelling analysis of the central theme in any given text.

Tips for Choosing a Strong Theme

1. Consider your interests and passions: Choose a theme that you are passionate about or have a strong interest in. This will make the writing process more enjoyable and engaging.

2. Look for universal themes: Consider themes that are relevant to a wide audience and have the potential to resonate with readers on a deeper level.

3. Explore different perspectives: Don’t be afraid to choose a theme that challenges your beliefs or offers a unique perspective. This can lead to a more thought-provoking essay.

4. Connect the theme to your thesis statement: Ensure that the theme you choose aligns with the main argument or message you want to convey in your essay.

5. Research potential themes: Take the time to explore different themes and gather information to help you make an informed decision. Consider the depth and complexity of each theme before making a final choice.

Researching and Gathering Relevant Information

Before you start writing a thematic essay, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and gather relevant information on the chosen topic. Here are some tips to help you with this process:

• Begin by understanding the theme or topic of the essay. What is the main idea that you want to explore and discuss?
• Utilize a variety of sources such as books, articles, journals, and reputable websites to gather information. Make sure to cross-reference information to ensure accuracy.
• Take detailed notes while researching to keep track of key points, quotes, and references that you may want to include in your essay.
• Consider different perspectives and viewpoints on the topic to provide a well-rounded analysis in your essay.
• Organize your research material in a logical and systematic way to make it easier to refer back to when writing your essay.

By dedicating time to researching and gathering relevant information, you will be better equipped to write a well-informed and insightful thematic essay.

Creating the Outline and Structuring Your Essay

Before diving into the writing process, it is essential to create an outline for your thematic essay. An outline serves as the roadmap for your essay, helping you organize your thoughts and ideas in a logical manner.

Step 1: Identify the Theme

Start by identifying the theme or central idea that you will explore in your essay. This theme will serve as the foundation for your entire piece.

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Once you have identified the theme, brainstorm ideas and examples that relate to the theme. Consider different aspects, perspectives, and elements that you can include in your essay.

Step 3: Create a Thesis Statement

Develop a strong thesis statement that clearly states the main argument or interpretation of the theme. Your thesis should provide a roadmap for the reader and guide the direction of your essay.

Step 4: Outline Your Essay

Organize your ideas and examples into a clear and coherent outline. Begin with an introduction that introduces the theme and your thesis statement. Then, outline the main points and supporting evidence in the body paragraphs. Finally, conclude your essay by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis.

By following these steps and creating a well-structured outline, you will be on your way to mastering the art of writing a thematic essay.

Developing a Compelling Thesis Statement

A strong thesis statement is the backbone of a thematic essay, as it serves as the foundation upon which the rest of the essay is built. To develop a compelling thesis statement, you need to clearly identify the main theme or idea that you will be exploring in your essay. Your thesis statement should be concise and specific, providing a clear indication of the argument or perspective you will be presenting.

When crafting your thesis statement, it is essential to consider the key points that you plan to discuss in your essay and ensure that they align with your main argument. Additionally, your thesis statement should be engaging and thought-provoking, drawing your reader in and setting the tone for the rest of your essay.

Remember to revise and refine your thesis statement as you work on your essay, ensuring that it accurately reflects the content of your paper and guides your reader through your analysis. A well-developed thesis statement will help you stay focused and on track as you write your thematic essay, leading to a more coherent and compelling piece of writing.

Writing Clear and Coherent Body Paragraphs

When writing a thematic essay, your body paragraphs should be clear and coherent, providing a strong argument to support your thesis statement. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

1. Topic Sentence: Start each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This sentence should relate directly to your thesis statement and guide the reader on what to expect.

2. Evidence and Examples: Support your topic sentence with relevant evidence and examples from the text or other sources. Make sure to provide specific details that help to strengthen your argument and make your point clear.

3. Analysis: After presenting your evidence, analyze and explain how it supports your thesis. Discuss the significance of the evidence in relation to your main argument and show how it helps to prove your point.

4. Transition: Use transitions to smoothly connect your ideas and move from one paragraph to the next. Transitions help to guide the reader through your essay and maintain the flow of your arguments.

5. Clarity and Conciseness: Be clear and concise in your writing. Avoid unnecessary words or information that does not directly contribute to your argument. Keep your paragraphs focused and to the point.

By following these guidelines, you can write clear and coherent body paragraphs that effectively support your thesis and engage your reader. Remember to stay focused on your main argument and provide strong evidence to back up your claims.

Concluding with a Strong Summary and Reflection

As you wrap up your thematic essay, it is important to provide a strong summary that ties together all the key points you have discussed in the body paragraphs. Your conclusion should reiterate your thesis statement, summarise your main arguments, and leave the reader with a clear understanding of your interpretation of the theme.

Additionally, you can include a reflection on the significance of the theme you have explored and its relevance to the broader context. Consider how the theme relates to society, history, literature, or any other relevant fields. This reflection can add depth to your essay and show your critical thinking skills.

Remember, your conclusion is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the reader, so make sure it is strong and impactful. End with a thought-provoking statement or question that encourages further contemplation of the theme you have explored.

Related Post

How to master the art of writing expository essays and captivate your audience, convenient and reliable source to purchase college essays online, step-by-step guide to crafting a powerful literary analysis essay, unlock success with a comprehensive business research paper example guide, unlock your writing potential with writers college – transform your passion into profession, “unlocking the secrets of academic success – navigating the world of research papers in college”, master the art of sociological expression – elevate your writing skills in sociology.

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.

If you’re having trouble with this type of assignment, feel free to use our paper writing service and streamline the process.

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:

If you're seeking 'someone to do my homework fast' – contact us without hesitation!

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

• 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

How to Start a Thematic Essay

Every strong essay starts with a captivating introduction. For a thematic essay, this introduction should:

• 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.”

Feeling difficult to write a thematic essay? Leave us notice, and our persuasive essay writer we'll help.

Let our custom essay writing service do all the work for you. Check out our price calculator to estimate the cost of your assignment.

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

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. 

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.

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.

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

The best way to familiarize yourself with this type of writing is to learn from thematic essay examples.

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.

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

Learn more: Jem Finch character traits .

Need Help with a Thematic Essay?

Understanding the central themes of literary works is quite hard, so let our writers show you how it’s done!

If you're thinking, ' I need help with my homework fast' – contact us without hesitation!

Got Little Time Left Until Submission?

Use our service to obtain a first-class thematic essay overnight.

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/  

Home ➔ How to Write an Essay ➔ Thematic Essay

Thematic Essay Guide

Thematic writing is a staple of high school English and college writing courses. The idea behind thematic writing is to create a piece that uses a theme to tie together different ideas or topics. Thematic writing can be used for essays, short stories, novels, and even non-fiction pieces. In academic writing, thematic essays often center on a specific issue or theme and develop that theme throughout the essay.

Thematic essays are often assigned in high school English classes and college writing courses. They are also found on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT.

If you need to refresh your memory regarding general essay writing, check our detailed guide: How to Write an Essay

There are a few different literary devices that are often used in thematic writing. These devices can help create a more cohesive essay or story and can also help emphasize the theme.

One literary device that is often used in thematic writing is symbolism. Symbolism is when an object, person, or place represents something else. For example, in the novel The Great Gatsby, the character Daisy Buchanan symbolizes wealth and shallowness. In the story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, the black box that is used for the lottery represents tradition and the blind following of rules.

Definition and Purpose

A thematic essay is an essay that requires you to write about a particular question or theme. Thematic essays are often written in response to prompts that ask you to discuss a specific aspect of a larger topic.

The main point of a thematic essay is to show the development of a theme throughout a work of literature or to compare the way different authors or works deal with similar themes.

Essentials of a thematic essay:

• must be focused on a central theme
• must develop that theme with specific examples from the text(s)
• must synthesize several elements of the text(s), including plot, character, setting, style, tone, etc.
• must not be a mere plot summary
• must use evidence from the text(s) to support your argument
• must be well organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion

If you want to learn more about essays in general, we suggest you read this guide: Essay Definition

Pre-writing stage

Before you write a thematic essay, it is important first to understand the prompt and Rubric . The prompt will ask you to write about a specific theme, such as “Justice in Othello.” The Rubric will outline the specific requirements for the essay, including things like length, formatting, and the inclusion of outside sources.

So, before writing a thematic essay, you should carefully read the prompt and think about what you want to write about. Make sure that you understand what the prompt is asking you to do.

Some tips for pre-writing:

• Brainstorm possible themes or ideas that could be related to the prompt.
• Choose a central theme or idea you are interested in and think you can write about persuasively.
• Come up with specific examples from the text(s) that you can use to support your argument.
• Make a list of the different ways that the overall significance of the theme or idea can be developed.
• Decide on the main point you want to make about the theme or idea.
• Organize your thoughts and develop a thesis statement.

Analyzing the prompt and developing a thesis statement

To write a thematic essay, you need to analyze the prompt first. You will need to identify the task that the prompt is asking you to do, and you will need to identify the main idea of the passage.

For example, a prompt might ask you to write about the use of symbols in a work of literature. To answer this prompt, you would need to identify the different ways that symbols are used in the text. You also need to determine what the author is trying to communicate using symbols.

Literary theme analysis prompt example ( TKAM ):

How does Harper Lee use the symbol of the mockingbird to explore the theme of innocence in To Kill a Mockingbird?

When analyzing this prompt, consider what the mockingbird symbolizes in the novel and how this relates to the larger theme of innocence. You might discuss specific characters who embody innocence, such as Scout or Atticus, and how the events of the novel impact them. You might also discuss the impact of innocence on the town of Maycomb as a whole.

One example of how Harper Lee uses the symbol of the mockingbird to explore the theme of innocence is through the character of Scout. Scout is a young girl who is innocent and naive in many ways. She does not understand the prejudice and hatred that exists in her community. However, she can also see the good in people, even when they are not perfect. The mockingbird symbolizes this innocence.

Your thesis statement can look something like this:

The symbol of the mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is used to represent the innocence of characters like Scout and Atticus, as well as the innocence of the town of Maycomb as a whole.

Other examples of thematic essay topics:

• The Catcher in the Rye: How does J.D. Salinger use the character of Holden Caulfield to explore the theme of teenage angst and rebellion?
• Heart of Darkness: How does Joseph Conrad use the character of Kurtz to explore the theme of colonialism and its effects on the human psyche?
• All Summer in a Day: How does Ray Bradbury use the character of Margot to explore the theme of bullying and its effects on victims?
• The Great Gatsby: How does F. Scott Fitzgerald use the character of Daisy Buchanan to explore the theme of the American Dream?
• Metamorphosis: How does Franz Kafka use the character of Gregor Samsa to explore the theme of alienation?

Outlining your thematic essay

After you have analyzed the prompt and developed a thesis statement, you can begin to outline your essay .

Thematic essays usually have a standard structure and consist of five paragraphs. That typically requires you to include an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Each body paragraph should discuss a different aspect of your thesis. For example, if you need to write a thematic essay about the use of symbols in a work of literature, you might discuss how symbols represent different themes in the novel.

Your thematic essay outline might look something like this:

Introduction:

• Provide a brief overview of the work of literature you will be discussing
• Introduce the main idea or central theme that you will be discussing
• Thesis: The symbol of the mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is used to represent the innocence of characters like Scout and Atticus, as well as the innocence of the town of Maycomb as a whole.

Body Paragraph 1: Symbols representing innocence

• The mockingbird symbolizes Scout’s innocence
• The mockingbird symbolizes Atticus’ innocence
• The mockingbird symbolizes the innocence of Maycomb

Body Paragraph 2: The loss of innocence

• Scout loses her innocence when she witnesses the trial
• Atticus loses his innocence when Mr. Ewell attacks him
• Maycomb loses its innocence when Tom Robinson is convicted

Body Paragraph 3: The importance of innocence

• Innocence is important because it allows people to see the good in others
• Innocence is important because it allows people to hope for a better future
• Innocence is important because it allows people to see the world in a more positive light

Conclusion:

• Restate your thesis statement
• Discuss the larger implications of your thesis statement
• Leave the reader with something to think about

You can also dedicate each body paragraph to one specific character or one specific event in the novel.

For example, you might discuss how Scout’s innocence is represented by the mockingbird symbol and how this innocence is lost when she witnesses the trial. In your second body paragraph, you could discuss how Atticus’ innocence is represented by the mockingbird symbol and how this innocence is lost when he is attacked by Mr. Ewell. In your third body paragraph, you might discuss how the innocence of Maycomb is represented by the mockingbird symbol and how this innocence is lost when Tom Robinson is convicted.

Writing the thematic essay

Once you have developed a clear thesis statement and created a thematic essay outline, you can begin writing. We complement each section with a thematic essay example part to better illustrate how it can look.

Introduction

The introduction of your thematic essay should briefly state what you will be discussing in your paper and provide background information. The introduction should also include your thesis statement, which is the main argument of your paper, at the end.

At the very start, you can also use a hook to grab the reader’s attention . A hook is usually a sentence or two that draws the reader in and piques their interest.

Introduction example of a thematic essay:

“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This quote, spoken by Atticus Finch, perfectly encapsulates the symbol of the mockingbird in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a novel about the loss of innocence. The symbol of the mockingbird is used to represent the innocence of characters like Scout and Atticus, as well as the innocence of the town of Maycomb as a whole. The loss of innocence is an important theme in the novel, and it is represented in the characters of Scout, Atticus, and Maycomb.

Body paragraphs

Your body paragraphs should each be dedicated to one specific character or event in the novel and start with a topic sentence . After the topic sentence, you should use evidence to support it. You must analyze the evidence, not just merely state it. Lastly, end your body paragraph with a conclusion and transition to the next section.

A thematic essay body paragraph example:

One example of the loss of innocence is Scout. When the novel begins, Scout is an innocent child who does not understand the ways of the world. “‘Don’t you ever do that again,’ I said. ‘Don’t you ever do that again, it’s bad enough having Jem tell on me without you adding to it.’” (Lee 9). Scout is chastised by her father, Atticus, for fighting with her cousin, Francis. In this quote, Scout does not understand why fighting is bad and must be scolded by Atticus. However, by the end of the novel, Scout has learned the true evil that exists in the world and has lost her innocence. “It was then that I finally understood Mrs. Dubose’s courage, not because she had won, but because she had had the courage to fight and the strength to lose.” (Lee 281). Scout has come to understand that even though Mrs. Dubose lost her battle with addiction, she was still brave for fighting it. Mrs. Dubose’s courage has taught Scout that even in the face of defeat, there is still hope. Scout has lost her innocence because she has learned that the world is not a perfect place and that people are not always good.

Check our citation guide to learn more about using quotes in essay: How to Introduce a Quote

Your concluding statement should sum up the main points of your thematic essay and rephrase your thesis (restate it in different words). You can also discuss broader implications or give your opinion on the topic, but don’t add any new information.

A conclusion example of a thematic essay:

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel about innocence—the loss of it, the destruction of it, and the fight to keep it. The characters of Scout, Atticus, and Maycomb all represent different aspects of innocence, and the novel explores how they each deal with the loss of their innocence. Scout loses innocence when she learns that the world is not perfect and people are not always good. Atticus loses his innocence when he realizes that sometimes the justice system does not work as it should. Maycomb loses its innocence when it is revealed that racism and prejudice are alive and well in the town. The loss of innocence is a sad but inevitable part of life, and To Kill a Mockingbird shows us that this loss can sometimes be for the better.

Final tips on thematic essay writing

Now that you know the main steps involved in the writing process of a decent thematic essay, here are some of the final tips and key takeaways that you should keep in mind when doing this task:

• Make sure to brainstorm first and develop a good thesis statement that will guide the rest of your essay.
• Create a thematic essay outline before starting to write the essay itself. This will help you stay on track and not miss any important points that you want to include.
• Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the paragraph’s main point.
• Use concrete and specific examples to support your points.
• Pay attention to your grammar and spelling.
• Make sure to conclude your thematic essay in a strong way that ties everything together.
• Analyze the work, not just summarize it.
• Take your time, and don’t rush the essay.
• And lastly, proofread your work before submitting it.

By following these tips, you should be able to write a thematic essay that will impress your teacher or professor.

• Solano Community College – World Literature
• Jefferson State Community College – Literary Theme Analysis

Was this article helpful?

Thematic Essay: Guidelines for an A+ Paper

• Icon Calendar 8 August 2024
• Icon Page 6445 words
• Icon Clock 29 min read

Thematic essays are common writing assignments in college across all disciplines. Basically, this guide begins with a definition of a thematic essay and its format and provides examples of topics and papers for illustration. Further on, this manual deconstructs a specific process of writing a thematic essay. Moreover, a presented guide covers three core stages of thematic essay writing: preliminary actions, establishing a paper’s foundation, and writing. In turn, a working manual presents an outline template and an example of a thematic essay to demonstrate a real writing situation where a student implements these guidelines of thematic paper writing correctly. Finally, a discussed guide presents information on what people can include in their theme essays and common mistakes to avoid. Hence, students need to learn how to write a good thematic essay and excel in their academic endeavors.

General Aspects

A thematic essay is a form of academic writing that requires an author to react to a particular question or theme. In this case, instructors expect students to develop a written reaction to a question or theme by connecting various pieces of information to reach a reasonable conclusion. Moreover, writing a thematic essay has a high demand for research and a critical examination of subtle relationships that exist between sources. Then, an entire research process yields a significant amount of information, which learners may use to generate numerous logical relationships that lead to rational inferences. Consequently, students may select any set of evidence with a clear, logical association provided that their central claim centers on a theme of interest.

What Is a Thematic Essay and Its Purpose

According to its definition, a thematic essay is a focused piece and type of writing that revolves around a specific theme, unique subject, or central idea. For example, the main purpose of writing a thematic essay is to analyze and understand underlying themes, concepts, or ideas presented in a given text, artwork, historical event, or any other subject of study (Kirszner & Mandell, 2024). Basically, such papers encourage critical thinking and comprehension by requiring students to make connections between a particular theme and various elements within a given subject, such as characters, settings, events, and symbols. Further on, this type of essay also aims to demonstrate people’s abilities to organize their thoughts coherently, present well-supported arguments, and engage with an assigned material on a deeper level (Campbell & Latimer, 2023). Moreover, these compositions often serve a particular educational purpose and help students to improve their analytical skills, writing proficiency, and ability to synthesize information. In terms of pages and words, the length of a thematic essay depends on academic levels and specific assignment criteria, while general writing guidelines are:

High School

• Length: 2-3 pages
• Word Count: 500-750 words
• Length: 3-5 pages
• Word Count: 750-1,250 words

University (Undergraduate)

• Length: 5-7 pages
• Word Count: 1,250-1,750 words
• Length: 10-15 pages
• Word Count: 2,500-3,750 words
• Length: 15-20 pages (or longer, depending on a complexity of a chosen topic and depth of research)
• Word Count: 3,750-5,000 words (or more, depending on specific dissertation requirements)

Note: Some sections of a thematic essay can be added, deleted, or combined with each other, and such a paper typically ranges from 500 to 1,500 words, depending on academic levels and specific assignment requirements. For example, a standard format of a thematic essay includes an introduction with a single thesis statement sentence that covers a central theme, several body paragraphs that explore different aspects of a chosen topic with supporting evidence, and a conclusion that summarizes an entire analysis and reinforces a central claim (Campbell & Latimer, 2023). As such, a specific theme in an essay is a central topic or underlying message that a writer explores and analyzes throughout an entire text. In writing, a main point of a thematic essay is to analyze and interpret a central theme within a specific text or subject, demonstrating how it is developed and its significance (Laurens, 2018). Moreover, students need to write a thematic essay when they are assigned to analyze and interpret a central theme in a particular text or subject, often in literature, history, or social studies courses. In turn, a thematic way of writing involves focusing on a central theme or idea, exploring its various aspects through structured analysis and evidence, and connecting it to broader contexts or implications (Braun & Clarke, 2022). An example of thematic writing is an essay analyzing a particular theme of sacrifice in “The Hunger Games,” discussing how characters’ actions and an overall plot illustrate key sacrifices made for survival and freedom. Finally, to start a thematic essay, people begin with an engaging and interesting introduction that clearly presents a central theme, provides relevant background information, and states their thesis or main argument.

• Cybersecurity Laws: Are They Adequate in Combating Cybercrime?
• Historical Overview of Abortion Laws Across the Globe
• Examination of Mental Health Disparities Within the LGBTQ+ Community
• Facebook’s Data Privacy Controversy: A Deep Dive
• A Pure Democracy
• Privacy Rights in the Big Data Age
• Life in Prison and the Ex-Convict Experience
• Understanding the Impact of Social Media on Teenage Self-Image
• Cultural Factors Influencing Eating Disorders
• Racial Profiling and Its Impact on Modern Society
• Cultural Shifts in Privacy Perception Post-Social Media
• Major Parenting Issues of the 21 st Century
• Thematic Family Bonds in Immigrant Families
• Escaping the Cycle of Poverty
• Modern Interpretations of Shakespeare’s Female Characters
• Narrative Techniques in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Exploring Symbolism and Other Themes in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
• Embracing the Gothic: Examination of “The Castle of Otranto” by Horace Walpole
• A Thematic Significance of a Muse
• Corruption in 18th-Century Short Stories
• Female Authors Who Left a Mark on Classical Literature
• History of Cryptography and Its Modern Applications
• Racial Dynamics in the Harlem Renaissance: A Detailed Study
• The Impact of the Printing Press on Renaissance Europe
• Examination of Manifest Destiny’s Influence on Territorial Expansion
• Memories of the Holocaust
• Landmines on a Modern Political Landscape
• A Cause of a Collapse of Middle East Alliances in the 20 th Century
• Roles of Parental Attachment in Child Development
• Influence of Colors on Mood and Behavior
• Importance of Dream Analysis in Understanding Subconscious Thoughts
• Impacts of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance
• Teenage Confidence After a Thematic Emergence of Social Media.
• An Impact of Abuse on a Formation of Relationships
• An Efficacy of Proactive Counseling

How to Know

A student can readily identify a thematic essay topic because such a subject boldly pronounces a writing theme but does not hint at any specific point of view. In writing, the primary goal of a topic of a thematic essay is to inform readers of a specific theme rather than a particular approach of an author, which becomes more apparent in an introductory paragraph (Kirszner & Mandell, 2024). Specifically, a thematic essay topic does not allow students to develop a particular supposition concerning a theme because authors realize there may be multiple points of view concerning a main idea of a theme essay. In turn, to write a thematic essay, people develop a clear and well-formulated thesis statement, support this claim with detailed analysis and evidence related to a specific theme, and organize an entire content into a structured format with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Steps on How to Write a Thematic Essay

Step 1: Preliminary Actions

Defining a Thematic Topic

A particular ability of students to define a topic is dependent on an extent to which they understand essay rubrics and instructions. Basically, once learners receive thematic essay instructions, they should critically read their prompts to ensure they comprehend all demands of writing requirements. Then, writers should use keywords from their instructions to write one or more questions, which represent corresponding expectations of instructors (Campbell & Latimer, 2023). Based on developed questions, students can create a good topic that adequately captures a specific content of possible responses holistically. Moreover, authors must consider the information in given instructions, which establishes a particular leeway they have in a further selection of a topic, for example, choosing a theme not covered in-class readings.

Identifying a Purpose for Writing

A unique procedure of identifying a purpose occurs in two distinct stages: selecting a general goal and defining a specific purpose. Basically, authors may write a thematic essay to achieve two general purposes: explanation and persuasion. In writing, basic expectations of instructors influence a specific choice of a general purpose of a theme essay to a large extent (Laurens, 2018). As such, students should write a thematic essay on a book that deeply explores significant themes, such as “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, where an author addresses themes of racism, morality, and social justice. After learners pick a general purpose for writing a paper, they should create a specific purpose that shows a particular effect their papers must have on readers. Mostly, writers generate a specific purpose from questions that represent thematic essay instructions. In turn, a nearly determination of a main purpose is crucial because it affects a specific student’s approach to research and word choice during drafting.

Analyzing an Audience

Before writing a thematic essay, students need to determine key characteristics and expectations of readers. Basically, knowledge concerning crucial characteristics and expectations of an intened audience is valuable because writing allows authors to understand a specific interaction between defined characteristics and attitudes toward a topic, a readers’ level of expertise, and an actual significance of misconceptions, which aid in selecting an appropriate presentation approach. For example, a thematic essay in history is a paper that focuses on a specific theme or concept within a historical context, analyzing how this theme has influenced events, societies, or periods and providing evidence to support an entire analysis (Laurens, 2018). Specifically, learners can determine the most effective organization patterns, identify the best evidence, and employ an accepted documentation style. Moreover, students ensure a suitable level of explanation accompanies specialized writing terms that appear in a theme essay.

Generating and Writing Ideas

After learners define a main purpose and comprehend unique needs and traits of a target audience, they begin to develop ideas for an entire content of a thematic essay. Mostly, theme essay assignments for writing a particular subject focus on topics lecturers discuss in classrooms and other course readings (Kirszner & Mandell, 2024). Consequently, students may generate ideas through brainstorming based on the relevant information from a single unit and other related units they encounter during their schooling. During brainstorming, writers engage in idea mapping and clustering, which enables them to keep track of relationships between ideas.

Step 2: Establishing a Foundation for Writing

Searching for Sources

Author’s initial ideas regarding a topic act as a starting point for acquiring credible sources that support and refine those ideas. Basically, contemporary scholars engage in electronic searches to find useful and reliable sources for thematic compositions (Goddard et al., 2022). In this case, students should begin their search on a library’s website, which provides them with material that is reliable for academic writing. Further on, library search engines have complex filter functionalities, which make a particular process of searching for academic sources quite simple. Then, authors turn to open-web searches using Google Scholar or other public search engines that generate a significantly larger number of sources. However, some articles may not be accessible to students. Moreover, a particular burden of determining an overall reliability of sources falls on authors when they use open-web search engines (Naeem et al., 2023). In turn, students rely entirely on keywords or keyword combinations to generate working bibliographies.

Evaluating Sources Before Writing

Working bibliographies undergo an intensive evaluation process to establish whether they meet necessary quality standards for inclusion in writing a college-level thematic essay. For example, a main goal of a thematic essay is to analyze and interpret a central theme within a text or subject, demonstrating its development and significance through structured evidence and coherent argumentation (Campbell & Latimer, 2023). In writing, an evaluation process involves two primary stages: relevance determination and reliability test. During relevance determination, authors should examine each source by using three criteria:

• A level of attention that a specific source gives to a chosen topic.
• A suitability of a source’s sophistication to a particular purpose and audience’s needs.
• An impact of publication date on an actual relevance of its information.

Next, a reliability test investigates five critical writing aspects:

• An origin of a thematic source.
• A level of expertise of authors.
• Biases of a source in a context of existing literature.
• Availability and quality of given evidence supporting source’s claims.
• Objectivity in a presentation of author’s claims and handling of evidence.

Writing a Thematic Annotated Bibliography

At this point, a revised working bibliography now contains fewer sources that are relevant and reliable. In particular, students should engage in critical reading of all sources in a working bibliography to identify useful pieces of information they may incorporate into a theme essay. After reading each source, learners write an annotation that contains a summary of a source, ideas for using this source, and an assessment of this source (Kirszner & Mandell, 2024). Besides the three main elements of an annotated bibliography entry, writers may choose to mention specific pieces of evidence, which are the most significant contributions of a source to a thematic essay. Typically, they develop an annotated bibliography from notes they make as they read through a text.

Developing an Outline

Based on an annotated bibliography, students create an essay outline. Basically, a particular content of an annotated bibliography entry allows learners to develop relationships between sources, which is essential because such a paper begins to shape an essay structure. In this case, writers identify and group sources that support a general point, which splits a body of a thematic essay into discernible sections (Laurens, 2018). Then, authors break down each general point into specific points that can exist as a body paragraph and assign appropriate sources to individual body paragraphs. Furthermore, scholars logically organize particular points and establish some form of flow within each section of a body paragraph. In turn, they document an overall organization of general and specific ideas and a distribution of evidence in a list, like a format that allows for easy identification of hierarchy.

Step 3: Writing a Thematic Essay

Designing a Working Thesis

A student develops a working thesis statement, which presents his or her central claim. For example, to write a thesis for a thematic essay, people clearly state a central theme and outline main points they will discuss to demonstrate how this topic is developed and its significance (Campbell & Latimer, 2023). Basically, questions that writers derive from assignment instructions and specific minor arguments listed in a thematic essay outline are main pieces of information they use to generate a thesis statement. Initially, writing a working thesis statement may appear as a simple combination of individual responses to assignment questions in a context of given information that forms an outline (Laurens, 2018). However, authors must unite individual answers under a specific inference that demonstrates a real significance of writing a thematic essay. Besides, a working thesis statement undergoes multiple revisions, which occur randomly during a writing process. In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning a thematic essay are:

• In [text/work], [author/creator] vividly explores a specific topic of [topic], revealing how this theme shapes unique characters’ actions and an overall narrative through … .
• A profound theme of [theme] is central to [text/work], as [author/creator] uses various literary devices to highlight its significance and impact on an entire plot, including … .
• After reading [text/work], it becomes clear that [theme] is not only a recurring motif but also a driving force behind characters’ developments and an unfolding of events, particularly through … .
• Throughout [text/work], a particular exploration of [theme] is paramount, with [author/creator] skillfully using [specific elements, such as symbolism or imagery] to underscore its importance in … .
• A unique theme of [theme] is clearly covered in [text/work], as [author/creator] employs [literary techniques] to examine its various dimensions and its influence on … .
• By focusing on a theme of [theme] in [text/work], [author/creator] provides a deep and complex analysis of [specific aspect], shedding light on its broader implications for … .
• A pervasive presence of [topic] in [text/work] is evident from an outset, with [author/creator] using [specific examples] to illustrate how this theme permeates an overall narrative and affects characters’ journeys … .
• In [text/work], an interesting topic of [theme] is explored through a complex approach, where [author/creator] implements [specific elements], offering a comprehensive understanding of its role and significance … .
• An intricate depiction of [topic] in [text/work] serves as a valid foundation for [author/creator]’s exploration of [specific aspect], highlighting how this theme influences a story’s progression and characters’ experiences … .
• Through a lens of [theme], [author/creator] in [text/work] shows a complex use of [specific elements], providing readers with a deeper appreciation of its impact and underlying messages conveyed … .

Reviewing an Outline

Once an author writes a working thesis statement, a person subjects an informal outline to a revision that results in a particular creation of a formal outline for a thematic essay. Basically, body paragraphs of a thematic essay are building blocks for a central claim. Consequently, learners must review an informal outline to ensure there is an apparent logical build-up to the inference, which they announce in a written thesis statement (Kirszner & Mandell, 2024). During this review, students focus on a standard organization of minor arguments to ensure body paragraphs contain a single minor idea while maintaining a rational relationship with other body paragraphs. Moreover, writing a formal outline contains a systematic arrangement where information with the same level of significance or roles has identical indentation or numbering.

Selecting Correct Sources for Writing

Based on writing a formal outline, students make a final assessment of sources for each body paragraph. In particular, a formal outline contains some changes in its organization and the framing of minor arguments of a thematic essay (Campbell & Latimer, 2023). As such, these changes may affect the relevance of sources to each body paragraph’s argument. Then, a subdivision or merging of minor arguments may cause some sources to become inadequate because they do not extensively cover new minor ideas. Therefore, writers should check an overall suitability of each source to arguments it supports to ensure each source provides strong, relevant, and accurate evidence before commencing a drafting process.

Drafting a Thematic Paper

During a drafting stage, authors expand a thematic outline into a complete paper by changing statements and brief notes into coherent paragraphs. Basically, there is no fixed approach to drafting a thematic essay because students may start writing at any point by using a formal outline (Kirszner & Mandell, 2024). Nonetheless, it is an excellent practice for learners to begin drafting from a paragraph they understand the best because such a strategy ensures they waste very little time trying to overcome a particular fear of creating a first draft. In turn, scholars should allocate adequate time for drafting.

How to Improve

Self-Critic

After completing a first draft, students undertake a self-conducted revision process, which involves rethinking and rewriting. Basically, such a process of revision focuses on a particular evaluation of the evidence and organization of body paragraphs to ensure they support a working thesis statement entirely (Campbell & Latimer, 2023). Further on, learners revisit a working thesis statement to refine its wording and a central claim it presents. Before starting a revision process, writers should take a break, which allows a human brain to reset and attain a higher level of objectivity while revising. In writing, a thematic statement is a unique sentence that expresses a central theme or underlying message of a text, summarizing an author’s main insight or viewpoint on a subject (Laurens, 2018). Moreover, scholars should use a checklist to reduce a risk of overlooking various crucial theme essay dynamics during individual revision.

Peer Review

An individual revision process identifies apparent flaws in content presentation, but numerous flaws may go unnoticed due to authors’ subconscious biases concerning their writing styles. As a result, students should subject their thematic essays to a peer review by a classmate, tutor, parent, or writing center staff (Laurens, 2018). In this case, learners should select a peer reviewer that best represents a member of the target audience. Moreover, authors may provide peer reviewers with a checklist to guide them through a revision process, especially if a person is not an expert editor. Then, students should assign adequate time to a peer review process to allow reviewers to carry out a revision task comfortably. In turn, once writers receive feedback from peer reviewers, they consider comments when making a final revision of a paper.

Clarity and Effectiveness

A first consideration in a editing process is an overall clarity and effectiveness of sentences in a thematic essay. Basically, authors should edit each sentence to ensure statements convey an intended meaning to readers. In this case, it is advisable to focus on six clarity issues, which are the most common in writing theme papers: lack of parallelism, dangling modifiers, vague references to pronouns, incomplete sentences, and incorrect separation of sentences (Kirszner & Mandell, 2024). Besides clarity, learners should evaluate a particular efficacy of each statement separately and as part of a paragraph. In turn, an entire effectiveness of writing statements revolves around a smoothness of transitions, conciseness, variability in sentence structure and length, a distinctiveness of an author’s voice, and emphasis on core ideas.

Surface Errors

A subsequent stage of an editing process involves editing for thematic surface and documentation errors. In particular, students should strive to eliminate all surface errors because they divert a reader’s attention to meaning, although some writing errors do not necessarily change an actual meaning of sentences. For example, learners can edit surface errors by using six-item criteria: spelling errors, comma splices, sentence fragments, verb errors, punctuation errors, and pronoun errors (Campbell & Latimer, 2023). Moreover, students should not attempt to conduct clarity and effectiveness editing simultaneously with surface error editing, which may result in poor writing because of an extensive nature of rules governing the English language. In turn, the final step in editing a thematic essay is a correction of any documentation errors while referring to an appropriate style manual, such as APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, or Harvard.

Outline Template

I. Introduction

A. Hook sentence. B. Background information. C. Thematic thesis statement.

A. First body paragraph

1. A single idea for writing a first thematic paragraph. 2. Evidence supporting this paragraph’s claim. 3. Interpretation and analysis of evidence.

• First specific deduction from evidence.
• Second specific deduction from evidence.

4. A concluding statement that demonstrates a specific link between a first paragraph’s claim and a central thesis statement.

B. Second body paragraph

1. A single idea for writing a second thematic paragraph. 2. Evidence supporting this paragraph’s claim. 3. Interpretation and analysis of evidence.

4. A concluding statement that demonstrates a specific link between a second paragraph’s claim and a central thesis statement.

C. Third body paragraph

1. A single idea for writing a third thematic paragraph. 2. Evidence supporting this paragraph’s claim. 3. Interpretation and analysis of evidence.

4. A concluding statement that demonstrates a specific link between a third paragraph’s claim and a central thesis statement.

III. Conclusion

A. Restatement of a central thesis statement written in a thematic essay. B. Summary of three minor arguments mentioned in body paragraphs. C. Closing remarks emphasizing an actual significance of a central claim in a unique context of three minor arguments.

Commentary on a Thematic Outline Template

Identifying a Central Theme

Any audience can determine a central theme of a thematic essay from a thesis statement or an overview of topic statements. Basically, writing a well-composed thesis statement must explicitly mention a central theme or implicitly hint at a central theme. Alternatively, an audience can read through topic sentences and correctly speculate a central theme of a thematic essay because minor arguments in individual body paragraphs are building blocks of a thesis statement (Laurens, 2018). However, a reader’s ability to identify a central theme from a formal outline is dependent on their pre-existing knowledge concerning a topic because an outline uses statements and annotations with little explanation.

A thematic essay stands out from other types of essays because of a high level of freedom writers enjoy during authorship. During a writing process of a theme essay, authors can choose any purpose or a combination of purposes to use in different sections of 5 parts of an essay, which is a luxury that argumentative and expository papers do not extend to writers (Campbell & Latimer, 2023). Further on, essay instructions for writing a thematic essay tend to define a broad scope for research, which implies authors may develop a wide variety of arguments. In turn, an expansive nature of a subject of a paper is not present for argumentative essays, which forces students to choose one of the two sides of a controversial issue.

Introduction

An introduction section is a first part of a thematic essay, which consists of three main elements: hook, background information, and thesis statement. For example, a hook is a first statement of any paper that plays a crucial role in capturing an audience’s attention through creative wording, which gives them a reason to read an entire paper (Kirszner & Mandell, 2024). Since students know how to write a hook, they provide the essential background information that readers require to understand a thesis statement. Moreover, the background information element does not have a fixed length. Instead, it is dependent on a complexity of a thesis statement and an overall length of a thematic essay. As a result, writing a thematic thesis statement is a final item of an introductory paragraph. In turn, a standard length of introductions is approximately 10% of an essay’s word count.

Body Paragraphs

Topic Sentence

A topic sentence contains a minor claim that an author discusses within a paragraph. For example, its primary role is to establish content boundaries, which ensures students focus on a particular idea in each paragraph (Laurens, 2018). Moreover, a topic statement should present a minor argument and mention a relation that such a sentence has to a central idea of writing a thematic essay or make a tacit suggestion of its link to a main thesis. Therefore, writers should avoid a particular use of in-text citations in a topic statement because it implies an idea is not original.

After a topic sentence, students unveil the evidence that supports their claims. In college writing, an in-text citation should accompany any evidence learners introduce into a thematic essay to direct readers to its origin (Kirszner & Mandell, 2024). Moreover, learners should rely heavily on summary and paraphrasing in their writing, as opposed to direct quotations from sources. Nevertheless, some theme essay instructions may specify a particular technique writers must use when integrating evidence into a paper.

This element of a paragraph structure allows authors to explain an actual significance of the evidence to a paragraph’s argument. In this section of a thematic essay, students provide an interpretation of the evidence, which informs a target audience of a real meaning of the evidence in a particular context of a source text (Laurens, 2018). Then, they explain an actual value of the evidence in developing a reasonable justification for a single idea proposed in topic sentences. In turn, learners should avoid a particular inclusion of lengthy pieces of evidence because it creates a situation where a specific voice of sources is more dominant than an author’s voice.

Concluding Statement

A concluding statement emphasizes a logical relationship that exists between a topic sentence, evidence, evaluation, and thesis statement. In some cases, such s sentence may establish a specific relationship of a paragraph with a preceding paragraph (Campbell & Latimer, 2023). As such, students should ensure a concluding sentence of a paragraph does not contain a meaningless summary of key pieces of evidence. Then, a concluding statement of a thematic essay must not contain any new evidence because there is no opportunity to explain a particular contribution of the evidence in supporting a paragraph’s argument.

A concluding paragraph has three critical features: a restatement of a main claim, a summary of minor arguments, and closing remarks. Basically, an opening statement of a thematic essay reminds students of a central argument by using new words and syntax (Kirszner & Mandell, 2024). After an opening statement, learners summarize minor claims that appear in individual body paragraphs while maintaining a logical organization, which is identical to a particular arrangement of ideas in a body. Further on, authors write a strong closing statement that knits together an introduction, thesis statement, and minor claims to create a lasting impression on a target audience (Laurens, 2018). Moreover, students should ensure they do not introduce new evidence or arguments in a concluding paragraph. In turn, authors must not apologize for a lack of expertise on a topic or make absolute claims because it diminishes an overall efficacy of writing a good conclusion.

Thematic Essay Example

Topic: Recruitment of Terrorists

Terrorism is a global problem, which appears to be spreading despite an increment in the efforts to suppress its growth. Basically, a prevention of recruitment is a crucial counterterrorism strategy. Moreover, its efficacy is dependent on the understanding of key terrorists’ recruitment techniques. In turn, terrorist groups’ recruitment methods focus on a target’s identity crisis, which puts a potential member at risk of falling for an ‘appeal’ of terrorism.

An individual’s desire to be part of a movement that is effecting a radical change in society is a significant motivator for participation in terrorism. For example, recent studies show that terrorist groups begin conversations with most young recruits on social media platforms, which discuss topics concerning social, political, and economic oppression (Weisburd et al., 2022). Basically, this finding suggests young people in contemporary society have a desire to correct the ‘wrongs’ in society as a means of identity. Consequently, terrorists use an increased sensitivity to social injustices as a common ground to initiate and build a relationship with a prospective recruit. In turn, a youth’s strong desire to do something to stop social injustices that their respective governments ignore leaves them vulnerable to radicalization by terrorist groups.

Religious Beliefs

Fanatical religious belief may drive an individual to support or participate in terrorism for a sake of being part of a group. According to Alakoc et al. (2021), a constant pressure from religious parents causes a blind indoctrination of adolescents and young adults, which enables recruiters from terrorist groups to present religious concepts as justifications for terrorism, for example, the holy war. In this case, a mosque is an ideal site for a particular recruitment of terrorism because of a presence of youth with highly impressionable minds. Moreover, youths depend on teachings at places of worship for knowledge that defines their perspective of the world. As a result, terrorist recruiters disguised as spiritual leaders can easily nurture fanatical beliefs that endorse terrorist activities. Eventually, a feeling of separation from conservative believers pushes them to pursue groups that share their fanatical religious beliefs.

A loss of a family member to counterterrorism activities may act as a motivation factor for grievers who are trying to re-establish their identities because they no longer fit into traditional social structures. For example, Binder and Kenyon (2022) argue that recruiters prey on a particular pain of grieving family members by offering them retribution as a solution to an overwhelming feeling of incompleteness and using Internet platforms to achieve this objective. After a particular death of a family member, emotional turmoil increases an overall susceptibility of individuals to an idea that terrorist acts are an appropriate response to the ‘killers’ of their loved ones. Often, recruitment occurs during this unstable state and encourages an individual to relive a pain each day, which results in a permanent erosion of their former identity. Accordingly, grievers may find themselves as sympathizers of terrorism, which leads to active or passive participation.

Most members of terrorist organizations experience an identity crisis at the time of recruitment. Basically, a particular need to gain membership to a group that fights against social injustices tolerates fanatical religious beliefs or seeks revenge for a death of loved ones is a sign that identity crisis is a common characteristic in recruits. In turn, current counterterrorism initiatives should seek to break a cycle of recruitment, which will weaken terrorist groups.

List of References

Alakoc, B. P., Werner, S., & Widmeier, M. (2021). Violent and nonviolent strategies of terrorist organizations: How do mixed strategies influence terrorist recruitment and lethality? Studies in Conflict & Terrorism , 46 (12), 2598–2621. https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610x.2021.1935706

Binder, J. F., & Kenyon, J. (2022). Terrorism and the Internet: How dangerous is online radicalization? Frontiers in Psychology , 13 , 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.997390

Weisburd, D., Wolfowicz, M., Hasisi, B., Paolucci, M., & Andrighetto, G. (2022). What is the best approach for preventing recruitment to terrorism? Findings from ABM experiments in social and situational prevention. Criminology & Public Policy , 21 (2), 461–485. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12579

What to Include

Common Mistakes

• Lack of a Clear Thesis: Failing to present a clear, well-formulated, and concise thesis statement that outlines a main argument of a thematic essay.
• Biased Analysis: Providing a shallow analysis that does not cover a specific theme deeply or its implications.
• Ignoring a Theme: Straying from a central theme and including irrelevant information or tangents.
• Weak Evidence: Using insufficient or weak evidence to support claims, leading to a lack of credibility.
• Poor Organization: Lacking a coherent structure, making a thematic essay difficult to follow and understand.
• Repetition: Repeating same points or ideas without adding new insights or depth to an entire analysis.
• Grammar and Spelling Errors: Neglecting to proofread, resulting in numerous grammatical and spelling mistakes that undermine a paper’s quality.
• Inconsistent Tone: Shifting between formal and informal language, which disrupts a composition’s cohesiveness.
• Neglecting a Conclusion: Failing to provide a strong and logical conclusion that summarizes key points and reinforces a central thesis.
• Overgeneralization: Making broad, unsupported statements that do not accurately reflect a unique complexity of a chosen theme.

A thematic essay involves a structured approach to analyzing a central theme in a given text, requiring clear and coherent argumentation supported by evidence. Basically, its writing process includes several key steps: introducing a specific theme with a compelling hook and background information, formulating a precise thesis statement, and developing body paragraphs that provide detailed evidence and analysis supporting a central argument. Moreover, each paragraph should start with a topic sentence, include supporting evidence, and end with a concluding statement that ties back to a main thesis. In writing, a conclusion should restate a central thesis, summarize key points, and highlight broader implications of a chosen theme. Additionally, it is crucial to undergo thorough editing and peer review to ensure clarity, coherence, and correctness. Finally, common pitfalls to avoid include weak thesis statements, lack of organization, poor transitions, insufficient evidence, and unclear analysis. As a result, this structured writing approach helps to produce a well-organized and insightful thematic essay. In turn, some key takeaways to remember include:

• Students should define a narrow writing topic to guide them in generating ideas in response to a thematic paper prompt.
• Key characteristics and expectations of an intended audience are vital in determining an appropriate presentation approach.
• Before drafting a thematic essay, authors must write a formal outline and annotated bibliography, which are critical for organization and evidence selection.
• A particular maintenance of a high level of fluidity during drafting is critical because it allows writers to experiment with different styles of expression.
• Revision and editing are aspects of a writing process a student should not take lightly.
• All body paragraphs must adhere to a four-element paragraph structure.
• A conclusion paragraph of a thematic essay should not contain any new evidence or arguments.
• Learners must write a thesis statement that captures a specific theme instructors highlight in essay prompts.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing researcher. International Journal of Transgender Health , 24 (1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2129597

Campbell, K. H., & Latimer, K. (2023). Beyond the five-paragraph essay . Routledge.

Goddard, Y. L., Ammirante, L., & Jin, N. (2022). A thematic review of current literature examining evidence-based practices and inclusion. Education Sciences , 13 (1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13010038

Kirszner, L. G., & Mandell, S. R. (2024). Patterns for college writing: A rhetorical reader and guide . Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Laurens, A. (2018). How to theme: Understanding and analysing the connection between theme and story for writers and students . Inkprint Press.

Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2023). A step-by-step process of thematic analysis to develop a conceptual model in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods , 22 , 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789

To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles

Profile Essay: Guidelines for an A+ Paper

• Icon Calendar 18 September 2020
• Icon Page 4518 words

670 Personal Essay Topics & Free Ideas

• Icon Calendar 16 September 2020
• Icon Page 6571 words

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Happiness Hub Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• Happiness Hub
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• College University and Postgraduate
• Academic Writing

How to Write a Theme Essay

Last Updated: January 4, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 210,074 times.

Starting the Essay

• For example, an essay prompt may ask you to reflect on the theme of good versus evil in John Steinbeck's East of Eden .

• Make a list of everything you know about the topic. This can be information you learned in class, as well as information you found on your own.
• Write down keywords or key scenes in the text that respond to the essay prompt. Think about what words or scenes from the text come to mind when you think of a specific theme.
• For example, when you brainstorm ideas on East of Eden , you may write down any moments in the text that seem to speak to the theme of good and evil.

• Your thesis statement will need to address the theme, your primary example or examples, and the stance you will take on the topic.
• For example, your thesis might be: "In East of Eden , John Steinbeck rejects the Biblical idea of good and evil and instead focuses on the contradictions and complications found in good and evil."

• Introduction: Discuss landscape as metaphor, include thesis statement.
• Body: Describe mountains in opening scene, elaborate on how they symbolize good vs. evil, state how characters live between the mountains, showing how people are caught between good and evil.
• Conclusion: Restate thesis statement, return to landscape as metaphor.

Writing Your Essay

• Questions can make fun hooks for the reader. Ask a rhetorical question that relates to the theme of the essay, such as "How does one decide what is good and what is evil?"
• You can also use a quote from the text as the hook. Find a quote in the text that explores the themes and ideas you'll be discussing in your essay.

• For example, you may introduce the role of nature plays in the text to discuss the theme of good and evil. The first sentence of your body paragraph should discuss the role of nature. This will set up the paragraph and let the reader know what the focus of the paragraph will be.

• For example, you may discuss the use of nature in the text in one paragraph. The body of the paragraph should then use quotes and scenes in the text to support this idea.
• You might write,"The descriptions of the Gabilan Mountains in the text symbolize good and evil. The characters in the story live in the Salinas Valley, trapped in a gray area between these two extremes."

• Ask yourself, "What do I want my readers to have learned through this essay?"
• Remind readers about the essay's theme. Reference some of the arguments you made in the body of your essay, reinforcing how they support your original point.

Revising Your Essay

• Check that there are transitions between paragraphs. Look at the beginning of each paragraph to make sure they all flow well together.

• Print out your paper and proofread it. Oftentimes, errors are easier to catch on paper. If you can't print out your paper, try changing the size or type of the font. Anything that alters how the work looked when you wrote it can help alert you to errors. [13] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

• Be open to constructive feedback from friends and peers. This will only improve the essay and ensure it is at its best when you turn it in.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
• ↑ https://penandthepad.com/write-essay-theme-book-2200.html
• ↑ https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/how-to-write-a-thesis-statement.html
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/essay-outline/
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-a-hook/
• ↑ https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/how-to-write-an-essay/conclusion
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/steps_for_revising.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/proofreading_suggestions.html
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/

About This Article

When writing a theme essay, you’ll need to explore a given theme in the text you’re studying. Before you start your essay, brainstorm some notes about your theme, which you can then build your essay from. For example, if you have the theme of good and evil, think about which characters are mostly good or evil, any good or evil actions they take, description that uses light and darkness, and any religious context. In your intro, state your thesis, which should summarize your essay’s main argument. Then, choose 4 or 5 examples of your theme and write a paragraph exploring each one. Make sure you support your points with quotes from the text. In your conclusion, link your ideas back to your thesis statement. For more tips from our English co-author, including how to revise your essay to polish it up, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Mar 13, 2018

Did this article help you?

Jul 29, 2017

Dec 18, 2016

Nov 8, 2016

Ashley Ding

Nov 22, 2016

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

• Essay Guides
• Other Essays

How to Write a Theme Essay

• Speech Topics
• Basics of Essay Writing
• Essay Topics
• Main Academic Essays
• Research Paper Topics
• Basics of Research Paper Writing
• Miscellaneous
• Chicago/ Turabian
• Data & Statistics
• Methodology
• Admission Writing Tips
• Admission Advice
• Other Guides
• Student Life
• Studying Tips
• Understanding Plagiarism
• Academic Writing Tips
• Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

• Research Paper Guides
• Formatting Guides
• Basics of Research Process
• Admission Guides
• Dissertation & Thesis Guides

Table of contents

Use our free Readability checker

A thematic essay is a type of writing assignment that focuses on a specific theme or topic. It requires you to identify a central theme, discuss it in detail, and make connections between various facts. Your main goal is to demonstrate understanding and interpretation of the given subject matter. This type of essay is commonly used in literature classes or history exams.

If you’ve got an assignment to write a theme essay, you might wonder where you should even start from. No worries, we’ve got you covered here! The first thing you must know about this specific type of paper is that it aims to analyze a certain well-known theme and make an interesting statement about it. Here, you must explain meaning and relevance or complexity of your topic. You should summarize details that support your conclusion. In this article, we will conduct a detailed review of theme essay concept. We will also provide you a step by step guide on how to write a proper one. Let's dive right into it!  

Thematic Essay Definition

Let’s start with defining what is a thematic essay and its purpose. In this type, one should select a thesis and form unique statement related to its aspects. You should write about it, explaining or elaborating to your audience the following:

• How is your statement related to your topic?
• Which important or interesting aspects does it highlight?
• What approaches and literary devices are you using for analysis ? How do you explain your general theme? This can be comparison, metaphor, personification etc.

When composing such an essay, you must formulate and defend your statement. Here, you will demonstrate abilities of analysis and literary devices usage. At least several paragraphs would be needed to display such skills properly.

Thematic Essay Outline: What's Inside

The best way to begin is creating a theme essay outline for your topic. An outline should contain all key parts, concepts and ideas of your paper. You should put it in a sketchy but logical manner. This way you'll quickly prepare a shortened version of your assignment. It will also help you in reviewing it. Adding missing points and correcting significant mistakes would be easier at this early stage. Outline should include all main essay parts:  

• Introduction
• Thesis statement
• Body section
• Conclusion.

Keeping it brief, you should not provide complete sentences to describe your statements, ideas and arguments. A few words would suffice for each important point. Purpose is to make it readable for yourself! You should review it quickly and spot any inconsistencies.

How to Write a Thematic Essay Step-By-Step

Now it is time to focus on how to write a theme analysis essay – the complete text from scratch. Is your goal to impress readers and achieve a good grade? Then it is important that you create a proper essay structure template and don't lose any of your key questions! Stay methodical and keep it logical! Make sure your audience is engaged and don’t disappoint them in the end. Below we’ll provide a general idea for each step of this process.

Step 1. Define the Topic for Your Thematic Essay

When it comes to choosing among thematic essay topics, it is important that you pick an interesting and maybe even a controversial one. At the same time, make sure you can actually provide some meaningful input about it. Your assignment should impress readers with detailed analysis and its author’s writing skills. That's why your chosen topic must provide enough material for that.  There is a diverse choice of topics. Choose the one you are really interested in whether it is  Bullying essay  or  Happiness essay . If you need some ideas for great essay topics, feel free to check out our other articles.  

Step 2. Create a Thematic Essay Outline

We've already covered the main points of theme essay outline concept. When writing it, include all the main parts of your future work. Keep it as short as possible, one paragraph per each key point will be enough. It isn’t even necessary to describe everything with complete sentences! A few words would suffice. Once done, review it first and make necessary corrections. It is advised to review an outline several times. That's how any noticeable gaps or mistakes would be spotted early.

Step 3. Start a Thematic Essay with a Hook

A good thematic essay introduction ought to captivate readers right from the start. That’s why it is always advised to add some ‘hook’ into it. You can begin with an unexpected statement, use wordplay or a plot twist. Then you can explain this in the main body part. This way your audience would be interested to hear those explanations. As a result, your paper will have better chances of success. Apart from that, introduction should contain the main statement and some information about its content.  

Step 4. Write Body Paragraphs for Your Theme Essay

Goal of thematic essay body is to answer all the questions stated in an introduction. You must elaborate the meaning of each key idea. Finally, display your usage of literary devices, as we’ve specified earlier. Common practice is to use at least one paragraph per a literary device disclosure. Besides, the main body is the right place to use all relevant sources that can support your analysis or provide you with helpful analogies. Keep the main body logical, so that every paragraph is somehow connected to the previous and the next ones.  

Step 5. Create a Thematic Essay Conclusion

A strong thematic essay conclusion should highlight all important points from tyourhe essay while avoiding adding new facts or evidence. Just restate your thesis, answer all questions and summarize your arguments. It might be also useful to leave some final note for readers with some deeper analysis of your topic. You can also highlight the need for further exploration of the chosen theme and thus to prepare readers for your future works on this topic.  

Step 6. Proofread Your Thematic Analysis Essay

After completing theme essay, it is highly recommended to review it thoroughly, even several times if possible. The goal is to find mistakes and to spot logical gaps or missing details. Even best essays typically have inconsistencies left at the early stage. Taking a fresh look at your text often reveals some issues. If possible, ask your friends or colleagues to review your text. They might notice something you could not.  

How to Format a Thematic Essay

When it comes to thematic essay format, you need to find out what are the requirements in your assignment or which format is common in the institution you will be presenting your essay for. In case no special requirements were made for you, just choose one of the most popular formats for scholarly papers:  

• APA paper format : typically used in natural sciences, education and psychology fields
• MLA: typically used for works in humanities
• Chicago: typically used in business, history, and fine arts fields.

Thematic Essay Example

Let’s illustrate the explanations above with a few theme essay examples. We’ll provide some real ones here so that your every question would be answered. Hopefully you’ll find some inspiration in these examples for your own winning paper! The examples can be found below. Please scroll down to find them.  

Thematic Essay: Final Thoughts

In this article we have explored the theme essay concept in detail. Its central purpose and main definition were examined and a step by step guide for writing a strong one was suggested. We’ve also provided a few working examples for your convenience. Hopefully, all this information will be useful for your scholarly endeavors!

Feel free to check out our  paper writing services ! We’ve got a team of skilled writers with expertise in different literary areas, ready to help you. They deliver high quality content, always on time.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Theme Essay

1. what is the thematic statement.

A thematic statement typically takes the place of a thesis in a thematic essay. It consists of 1-2 complete sentences that express a theme which you have chosen for your work. This statement must convey the main message and also show what analysis will be done. It should be brief however as most of the details are to be provided in the main body.

2. What is the goal of thematic essay?

The thematic essay goal is to express an idea or some insights about the surrounding world and to change readers' minds about certain issues. As an author, you are expected to illustrate the team, provide all necessary explanations and conduct an analysis if needed. Besides, you typically should demonstrate familiarity with some literary interpretations and methods which are used to examine your theme.

3. How long should a theme essay be?

The minimum length of a theme essay is five paragraphs. One is for introduction, one for conclusion and remaining three for the main body. Of course, it can be more than that, depending on the depth of the theme that was chosen. The main rule is to keep your essay logical and concise, avoiding adding too many details. Otherwise your audience might get tired and the effect produced by your writing would be damaged.

4. What is a thematic essay history?

Thematic essay (history class) should be written to analyze some historical facts or significance of specific literary pieces. A typical case is examining different aspects of a controversial leader from the past or a political event that has produced a number of various important consequences. Or you might argue about a specific role of a certain book during a certain period or its influence on different nations or cultural groups.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

You may also like

How to Write a Thematic Essay with an Example

Samuel Gorbold

A thematic essay is a piece of writing that explores a central idea or theme that is common to multiple texts. To write it, you need to carefully analyze the texts, identify the theme, and develop a strong argument.

This article will explain what is a thematic essay and provide you with a step-by-step guide to writing one. We will cover everything from choosing a theme to revising and editing your final draft. If you're still struggling with your thematic essay after reading this article, EssayHub is your go-to resource for expert help. Remember, our team of skilled writers can tackle any essay, big or small - all you have to do is to just ask - write my essays online .

How to Write a Thematic Essay?

A thematic essay requires careful analysis and thoughtful interpretation. Follow these steps to craft an essay that effectively explores the theme of your chosen texts.

1. Choose a Theme

• Identify common elements: Look for recurring themes, symbols, motifs, or characters that appear across the texts.
• Consider the author's intent: Think about what the author might be trying to convey through these elements.

2. Analyze the Texts

• Gather evidence: Collect specific quotes, examples, and details from the texts that support your chosen theme.
• Analyze the evidence: Explain how these examples illustrate the theme and contribute to the overall meaning of the texts.

3. Develop a Thesis Statement

• Create a clear and concise statement: Your thesis statement should express the central idea of your essay and outline the main points you will discuss.
• Make a claim: Your thesis should go beyond simply stating the theme; it should make a claim about how the theme is significant or relevant.

4. Organize Your Essay

• Create a strong introduction: Your introduction should grab the reader's attention, provide necessary background information, and present your thesis statement.
• Develop your body paragraphs: Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your thesis statement, providing evidence and analysis to support your argument.
• Write a conclusion: Your conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a new way.

5. Revise and Edit

• Check for clarity and coherence: Make sure your ideas are clearly expressed and logically connected.
• Proofread for errors: Correct any grammatical, spelling, or punctuation mistakes.

How to Start a Thematic Essay?

The thematic essay introduction should provide necessary background information and clearly present your thesis statement. Here are some tips for writing a strong introduction:

• Hook the Reader: To effectively write a thematic essay introduction, pose a question that relates to your theme and makes the reader curious. Alternatively, share a brief story or illustration that connects to your theme and captures the reader's attention.
• Provide Necessary Background: Briefly mention the titles and authors of the works you will be analyzing. Afterward, give a brief overview of the historical, cultural, or social context of the texts if relevant.
• Present Your Thesis Statement: Your thesis statement should express the central idea of your essay. It should go beyond simply stating the theme and make a claim about how the theme is significant or relevant.

Example Introduction:

Theme: The theme of the corrupting influence of power is explored in both "Animal Farm" by George Orwell and "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding.

Introduction:

The abuse of power is a timeless theme that has been explored in countless works of literature. George Orwell's "Animal Farm" and William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" both delve into the destructive consequences of unchecked authority. In "Animal Farm," the pigs, who initially represent the ideals of equality and fairness, gradually become tyrannical dictators. Similarly, in "Lord of the Flies," the boys' descent into savagery is fueled by their struggle for dominance and control. By examining these texts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the human tendency to succumb to the temptations of power and the devastating consequences that can result.

Thematic Essay Outline

Once you have a strong thesis statement, it's time to organize your ideas into a coherent thematic essay structure. An outline will help you structure your essay and ensure that all of your points are relevant and well-supported. Let's consider this example outline:

• Theme: The corrupting influence of power in "Animal Farm" and "Lord of the Flies"
• Hook: Quote about the dangers of unchecked power
• Background information on the novels
• Thesis statement: Both "Animal Farm" and "Lord of the Flies" explore the corrupting influence of power, demonstrating how unchecked authority can lead to tyranny and violence.
• Topic sentence: In "Animal Farm," the pigs gradually become tyrannical dictators.
• Evidence: Cite specific examples of the pigs' abuse of power.
• Analysis: Explain how the pigs' actions demonstrate the corrupting influence of power.
• Transition: Similarly, in "Lord of the Flies," the boys' descent into savagery is fueled by their struggle for dominance.
• Evidence: Cite specific examples of the boys' violent behavior.
• Analysis: Explain how the boys' actions demonstrate the corrupting influence of power.
• Topic sentence: Both novels explore the theme of the loss of innocence.
• Evidence: Cite specific examples of characters losing their innocence.
• Analysis: Explain how the loss of innocence is connected to the corrupting influence of power.
• Restatement of thesis
• Summary of main points
• Final thought: The corrupting influence of power is a timeless theme that has relevance in today's world.

Thematic Essay Format

The format of your thematic essay should be clear, consistent, and easy to follow. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:

Thematic Essay Example

We've crafted a thematic essay example to illustrate the principles discussed in the previous sections. It's a great way to learn how to structure your own essay and make a strong argument.

Final Thoughts

To summarize, writing a thematic essay involves several key steps:

• Identifying a common theme across multiple texts.
• Gathering and analyzing evidence to support your theme.
• Crafting a clear thesis statement.
• Organizing your essay with a strong introduction, well-developed body paragraphs, and a compelling conclusion.
• Revising and editing for clarity, coherence, and accuracy.

If you're struggling with your thematic essay, we can provide expert guidance and support. Don't forget, our team of writers can help you with any type of essay, from argumentative to expository.

How to Write a Good Hook for a Thematic Essay?

What is the point of a thematic essay, how do you start a thematic essay.

Samuel Gorbold , a seasoned professor with over 30 years of experience, guides students across disciplines such as English, psychology, political science, and many more. Together with EssayHub, he is dedicated to enhancing student understanding and success through comprehensive academic support.

• Plagiarism Report
• Unlimited Revisions
• 24/7 Support

How to write a top-grade Thematic Essay

When assigned to write a thematic essay, you ought to understand what it is, how to approach it, and how to put every aspect of it on paper finally. You will most likely be assigned to write a thematic essay in high school, college, and university. Instead of getting confused, as most students do, you can use this quick guide and learn how to write a thematic essay quickly and seamlessly.

Remember, a thematic essay entails developing the central theme in literature, using specific literary devices. This guide will teach you the steps to take, identify a central theme, and some helpful tips when writing thematic essays. You will also have some topic suggestions and advice.

Without wasting time, let us delve deeper into it.

What is a thematic essay?

A thematic essay is a category of essay that involves the creation of a major literature theme using literary devices such as imagery, personification, and metaphor, among others. The writer expresses the importance of the themes in the essay .

However, the common challenge in a thematic essay is that every writer interprets the main theme from their perspective. Therefore, an ideal thematic essay should consist of logical arguments that are justified through literary devices.

The fundamental role of a thematic essay is to unwarp the major subject discussed. As a student, you are required to use facts, evidence, and examples obtained from a secondary and primary source.

You should connect the various facts to the main subject of your essay to demonstrate logical arguments in your essay.

How to write a good thematic essay in simple steps

One major challenge for students writing a thematic essay is that they have to identify a central theme. Apart from that, your thematic essay should also have logical arguments backed by evidence, examples, and illustrations that are based on literary devices.

Step 1: Read the essay prompt

The essay prompt provides information about the issue or the topic to be discussed in the essay.

Reading the prompt is significant in inspiring your response in essay form, which is critical in your reasoning and analytical skills.

Moreover, reading essay prompts is important in informing the writer about what is expected in the thematic essay.

Step 2: Choose the text you are going to use

  It is important to gather the sources you will use in your essay writing before embarking on writing.

The texts include literature abstracts, discussions, or other texts that support your theme. Therefore, it is vital to gather the texts properly.

You should ensure that your chosen text contains facts or examples supporting your essay theme.

Step 3: Take notes as you read

As an essay student, taking notes will influence your attention to decide the key literary devices to apply in your essay. 

Choosing relevant sources that entail comprehensive literary devices that support your theme is vital as you make notes.

Step 4: Determining the central theme

Determining the central theme is one of the vital steps of thematic essay writing. The central theme is the basic component of your essay. It defines the essence and scope of the essay . It also defines your angle of analysis .

Therefore, it is significant to determine the central theme of your essay. We will provide hints later in this article on identifying central themes. It is vital to have the hints at your fingertips as a student.

Step 5: Craft your essay thesis

After determining your main theme, it is vital to develop your essay thesis. Your essay thesis is fundamental in summarizing the points that will be discussed in your entire thematic essay.

This thesis will be posted at the end of the introduction paragraph; your essay thesis should clearly define the central idea to be discussed in your essay.

Consequently, every component of your essay can relate to your essay thesis. The following tips can help you to craft your essay thesis:

• Construct a question. To craft your essay thesis, you can begin by considering the questions provided. However, if not provided, you can develop your individual question. What can you decide or like to explore on the topic?
• Write your first answer. After researching, you can construct a temporary answer to your question. This is a simple task because it controls the writing and researching process.
• Construct your answer. After writing your answers, you need to consider that you will use your answer to co-compel your readers of your essay. Reading extensively concerning the topic will give your more details about your answer and assist you in developing further.

Step 6: Write body paragraphs

Writing the body paragraphs follows the introduction in thematic essay format. The body paragraph should convey the purpose of the essay and utilize literary devices that are used as evidence; each literary paragraph should consist of literary devices.

The topic sentences are introduced to provide a gateway and claim of the evidence. Each topic sentence is linked to a literary device and its connection with the literature.

After writing your topic sentence, you are required to justify your claims. You can use secondary sources to strengthen your point of reasoning through facts, figures, and examples. You can use questions or plots related to your essay's main theme.

It is crucial to prove how the quotes or plots link to the thesis statement of your essay. It is also important to note that every claim should apply the literary device. Thematic essays rely on applying literary devices to improve the thesis statement.   

Step 7: Write a captivating introduction

The introduction summarizes your approach and understanding of the answer to your essay question. It is critical in revealing what you intend to discuss in your essay and how you evaluate the theme.

To write a captivating introduction in your thematic essay, your initial stamen in the introduction paragraph should hook the reader through an intriguing claim concerning the topic.

This will attract the reader's attention and provide required background information that assists your audience to comprehend the essay claims later. Moreover, writing a captivating introduction is vital in conveying a well-framed thesis statement that reveals the novel central theme.

Step 8: Write a powerful conclusion

The conclusion marks the end of the thematic essay. When you write your conclusion, you should ensure it completes the essay before wrapping up the whole paper. It should include new information not discussed in the essay's body.

To write an effective conclusion as a student, you need to start by reinstating the thesis statement differently from how you stated in your introduction. Then, summarize your logical arguments on the central theme in the body paragraph.

To end your essay. Provide a final concluding statement that analyzes the topic. You should ensure that you leave your audience with a hook making them interested in exploring the topic. 

Step 9: Format, edit, revise, and proofread the essay

After writing your thematic essay to a conclusion, it is vital to check the format of your essay and adjust any necessary items as required by your professor's instructions before submission. 

You should confirm and double-check your central themes to match your essay requirements. Finally, peruse through your entire essay and edit any mistakes should note that grammatical mistakes will irritate your readers.

Therefore, it is critical to clean up all mistakes to make the essay attractive to the reader. Revise the paper to ensure that the essay is well-edited and efficient.

Proofread your essay to remove any possible mistakes. Proofreading can also assist you in changing the sentence structure to help polish your essay further. Moreover, it can help in eliminating mistakes from the paper.

Generally, as an essay student, you should ensure that your essay is in the correct format, well-edited, revised, proofread, and free from grammatical mistakes before submission.

How do you pick an excellent thematic topic?

Selecting an excellent thematic topic is one of the crucial aspects of thematic essay writing. The following guidelines help pick an excellent thematic topic:

• Brainstorm. Remember anything you discussed with your parents, friends, or teachers. Do the conversations link to some novel, book, or literature writing?
• Write the ideas that you can recall . Usually, the ideas that come first in your mind are the best ones to build on.
• List the best literature . Ask yourself about the most touching piece of writing to you. Then, evaluate the subject and the author's challenges in the literature developed in the story. This can help you to develop your ideas.
• Select a convincing theme . You should understand your expected audience and provide strong ideas to engage them as ordinary readers. Considering things that can engage your audience can assist you in coming up with a central theme in your essay writing.
• Refer to other pieces of literature. Using your professors' materials can assist you in coming up with the main theme of your essay. In addition, reading the material provided or suggested by your professor can give hints of an appropriate theme that you can discuss in your thematic essay.
• Get the Perspective. Sometimes to come up with the major theme, you will be required to consider the advantages and disadvantages of issues ad consider one perspective that can lead to a major theme to use in your essay.
• Consider social issues. A thematic essay is often linked to social problems that affect human life. Therefore, to develop a compelling theme as an essay writer, you need to analyze the social issues and select one that is appropriate to develop the main theme in your essay.

Related: How to make a good essay outline

How to identify the central theme in a text

 As discussed before. Unwrapping the major subject and the main point are the fundamental steps in writing a thematic essay. However, sometimes it is cumbersome to interpret the central theme effectively due to numerous aspects that run within the literature Coming up with a central theme is one of the significant approaches in thematic essay writing. The steps provided below can assist you in coming up with an appropriate theme.

• Condense the literature: consider the major idea that the author is conveying. There are many hints about the literature summary. As a writer, you should choose the hints that are effective and less challenging
• Pick a common subject: As an essay writer, it is vital to identify the difference between subjects. A subject is regarded as a general topic; it can be deception, love, or bravery. However, there is a specific point that is derived from the subject. Therefore, identify a common talking point and make it the focal theme of your essay.
• Read the central point: interpret the major idea that the author was delivering upon getting the subject. You will become more apparent as you explore the frequent examples and clues in the literature.
• Overall significance : you should consider the importance of the author�s point. Identify what can be retrieved and applied in personal lives. Generally, this will drive you to ask the lesson that can be derived from the literature. 

Comprehensive Outline for a Thematic Analysis Essay

As an essay writer, your main objective is to be creative when writing your essay to include all crucial details. Consequently, beginning your essay with the outline is vital for thematic essay writing.

Your outline should note that all things contained in the draft do not necessarily form your final piece of writing. Nevertheless, an outline is significant in guiding you throughout your work.

As a writer, you should make sure that you check the flow of your essay. You can achieve this by checking how you use transitions.

In many instances, students tend to treat every paragraph as a mini-essay without linking one paragraph to the other. This aspect leads to an essay that is incohesive and is not flowing.

Also, students should refrain from emotional expression and wordiness to prevent irritation of the reader. When drafting your essay, you should ensure that you are neutral in the sense that you should refrain from being informal or formal. It would assist you to sound sincere and respectful.

A thematic essay outline is meant to guide the writer without mistakes throughout the writing process. Additionally, an outline is crucial in preventing the writer from getting stuck during the writing process. In most cases, the outline of a thematic essay follows a 5-paragraph structure that consists of an introduction, 3-body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Some students think that writing an outline is a waste of time. However, this is not the case; an outline is the basic component of your essay paper.

Possessing a detailed essay outline allows you to create a fantastic thematic piece of writing that is logical, flowing, and coherent.

Overall, a good outline consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. However, the number of your body paragraphs can vary depending on the depth of the theme of your essay.

Introduction

You should begin your essay with an introduction. You should make an impressive introduction that attracts the attention of your reader. The introduction section consists of background information and the vital points discussed in the essay.

You should be strategic when developing this section. Utilizing practical tools such as humor or posting a connective question is critical. In your introduction, deploying exciting and surprising facts encourages the readers to explore your work.

However, you should not make this paragraph lengthy. Instead, it should be brief and contain the central idea concerning the essay. The last sentence in your introduction should comprise the thesis statement.

As discussed earlier, the thesis statement provides information about what is discussed in the body of the essay. Therefore, make sure your thesis statement is clear and provides a logical argument about the topic of the essay.

Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs are the essay's main body that comprises of detailed discussion of the central theme. This is where you will be providing analysis, supporting justifications, and developing arguments.

It is critical to avoid giving baseless statements in this section because this part demands well-constructed logical arguments supported with evidence, facts, and examples that increase the quality of your essay.

As an essay writer, you should ensure that all your main points are discussed in the body of your essay . Each point should be discussed in each paragraph. The point is stated in the form of the topic statement and supported with the literary device.

Also, you can use subheadings in your thematic essay to avoid clustering of your content. All the paragraphs in your essay should be of equal length.

This is important in producing a quality essay. You can get numerous thematic essays on websites. You can read the samples to guide you in writing an excellent thematic essay.

The conclusion is, marks the end of the essay. A reasonable conclusion should be precise, practical, and logical.

Generally, the conclusion should resonate with the information in the thesis statement . To write a reasonable conclusion, begin by rephrasing the thesis statement.

Rewrite the thesis statement in your own words while keeping the meaning of the idea. After that, summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs of your thematic essay. Ensure all the points are summarized.

Finally, provide an overall statement that can hook the reader and attract the reader's interest to explore the topic further.

Essential tips when writing a thematic essay

• Read relevant literature that includes book chapters and other relevant sources that support your theme. Then, read the essay question carefully and brainstorm the best approach to writing your thematic essay.
• Developed a detailed outline that will guide you in writing the paper
• Ensure you master the requirements of the essay and academic rules that govern essay writing. Ensure you adhere to the required format and refrain from plagiarism by paraphrasing important p points from secondary sources.
• Your introduction should be brief and to the point, and you should not forget to include a logical thesis statement
• It is necessary to develop one straightforward central question in every paragraph
• You should present your paragraphs in a logical format. Ensure the paragraphs are linked with one other to ascertain the flow of the essay.
• Use compelling examples and claims that support the points in each paragraph. The claims and examples should be verifiable and well elaborated to bring the logical arguments in the essay.
• You should reference your source properly. Poor citations and references may result in plagiarism. Therefore, ensure you include a well-structured intext citation and reference list in your essay.
• Ensure all your description is followed by extensive analysis as a way of justifying your claims in the essay. Any description that lacks analysis should not be included.
• Make sure that your conclusion is relevant and concise.
• Make sure that all the materials are referenced, and a bibliography or reference list indicating all the used sources is provided
• Ensure you submit your essay at the required time.

Mistakes to avoid when writing a thematic essay

• Avoid using the complex word;
• Avoid using text that is not significant to your essay;
• Do not exaggerate your essay;
• Avoid long sentences;
• Avoid submitting your essay without proper citing;
• Do not submit the paper unreviewed;
• Make sure the paper contains stronger arguments;
• Refrain from submitting your work without running it through a plagiarism checker and Grammarly software
• Avoid using the wrong essay format;
• Avoid using too many questions from secondary sources.

Thematic essay topic ideas

Numerous thematic essay topics can be utilized to produce impressive work. Most of the common thematic topics are related to historical events. As an essay writer, you should consider an exciting topic to write about. Getting an interesting topic is fundamental in deriving ideas and writing quality work based on your knowledge. The following are some of the topics that are related to distinct subjects.

Global regents

• The transformed meaning of philosophy
• Can a person manage unconscious thinking?
• The responsibilities of Men and Women in the modern society
• Human rights in the contemporary world.
• The role of social media in the modern old
• The significance of the political system in the contemporary society
• The role of globalization in the contemporary world.
• The role of religion in society

Belief systems

• Should the death penalty be allowed?
• Should people be allowed to carry handguns?
• Are video games effective in mental health mitigation?
• Women should take care of children and not engage in any form of work.
• The childhood period is the most significant part of human life.

Literary thematic essay topics

• Explain the themes explained in the book �The Great Gatsby."
• Explain the major theme highlighted by Bernard Shaw in the novel �Arms and the man."
• What is the central theme in the poem �The Road not taken" by Robert Frost?
• Happer Lee discusses "innocence" in his novel To Kill a Mockingbird. What does he try to elaborate on?
• The civil war era.
• The slavery issue in America
• US-Russia relations
• The Cold War Period
• Industrial revolution in the USA
• International organizations

Read our article on the list of social issues and see if you can consider some controversial and current social issues for your topic ideation. 

Final Remarks!

As you wind up your thematic essay, ensure that everything is okay. Remove any spelling, stylistic, typographic, and grammatical errors.

Also, confirm is your central theme comes out clearly in the paper. You can hire an expert proofreader to help you spot and correct mistakes.

Thus far, we are sure you have the correct information that has set you up to write a great thematic essay by yourself. You can use this guide to research, plan, and write a quality paper.

Alternatively, you can hire an essay writer to write your thematic essay from Gradecrest. Our model essays are plagiarism-free, 100% unique, and top-quality.

You can also check sample essays online to get further inspiration. We believe that you will write an excellent paper from now on.

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

How to Write a Thematic Essay?

06 August, 2020

12 minutes read

Author:  Kate Smith

The road to graduation from any educational institution is lined with essays and written assignments – and the majority of these happen to be thematic essays, as they are supposed to demonstrate that the students understand the topic or material well. A thematic essay is almost as old as writing is, for it focuses on investigating a topic to provide detailed analysis and evidence of why a certain claim can be made.

What is a Thematic Essay?

Although this type of essay is commonly used to analyze some historical facts or a specific literary piece and its significance, a thematic essay can be assigned on a variety of subjects. It is also a traditional classroom essay that may be a part of different exams, so students may be required to craft a thematic essay within limited time, sticking to the topic provided. This is the main reason why they consider thematic essays difficult, but whenever there’s a longer deadline and a choice of topics, the writing process is easier.

However, there’s an important thing that everyone who’s wondering ‘what is a thematic essay?’ needs to know. This type of essay mainly lets the teacher determine your knowledge of the material, and it should demonstrate your comprehension of the topic that you can back up with solid arguments and relevant examples. But proper structure is just as essential to your writing as the scope of the topic. All of the points you want to make, as well as the supporting evidence must be organized in a clear, consecutive way. If your essay lacks focus or is illogical in its organization, your readers will not be able to recognize neither the thoroughness of your research, nor the significance of your critical thinking. They might even have trouble following what evidence you found to help you arrive at a certain conclusion.

How to Find and Explore the Central Theme?

To tackle this type of essay, you often have to narrow down a topic that’s too broad before getting started on your writing. A theme is what an author portrays in a literary work, or the specific point the author is making. Often, it is the most frequently discussed one, or it is a lesson of the greatest overall significance that can be derived from the work and applied to our lives. Thus, to effectively plan out how you are going to write a thematic essay, identify the theme first. Focus on the main point the author is trying to make about a particular subject, the message he is trying to convey, why it is relevant or important at the moment, and the way the reader can benefit from it.

That’s why having a place to start and an outline to follow lays the groundwork for your thematic essay. It is the most important step in the entire essay writing process.

Thematic Essay Outline

By using an outline to shape your essay, you have a format to follow that ensures knowledge of the topic, addressing all the questions of the assignment, and keeping all of the points you want to make well-organized. A thematic essay outline lets you effectively draw parallels between different facts, formulate a coherent and detailed evaluation of the topic, and see whether something in the essay is lacking or needs to be rearranged and revised.

Some essay types may have less rigid layouts and writing requirements, allowing for more creativity and freedom when it comes to formatting. However, this is not the case with instructions on how to write a thematic essay. Just as with other traditional essays, there should be at least five paragraphs in a thematic essay, including an introduction with a thesis statement, three body paragraphs that will support your thesis with relevant arguments and examples, and a logical conclusion to wrap everything up at the end.

Introduction 

Generally, to write a thematic essay you need to have an idea of what your thesis will be, how your body paragraphs will prove it, and how you are going to summarize all of the arguments detailed in the body of the essay in your conclusion. The introduction has to present the main subject of your essay as well as any necessary background information and your thesis statement. At the same time, it should be interesting enough to make the reader want to learn more about the topic. The opening sentence of the introduction is often referred to as a ‘hook’ because it is supposed to grab the reader’s attention. For this purpose, it can evoke anticipation, controversy, irony, or ask a question. The thesis statement is very important because it gives your topic a direction and a specific purpose.

The thesis statement lays the ground for further analysis, for answering a specific question, asserting an opinion or explaining how and why something works (or has worked/failed to produce an expected result). Think of your thesis statement as a compelling and concise headline that gives the reader a good idea of what the rest of the paper is about and what to expect next. It should be engaging, but not confusing to your audience. Have you ever been extremely disappointed by reading an article or watching a movie because it wasn’t what the headline, magazine cover or a movie trailer promised it to be? To make sure your reader doesn’t feel like that, you want your thesis to be integral to the essay and to all of the evidence that you provide in the following body paragraphs. Quite often, a thesis statement needs a few revisions to acquire more focus and clarity as you add the body paragraphs to your thematic essay.

Body paragraphs 

While the 5-paragraph structure gives you a basic layout to work with, it should have three body paragraphs because the thesis must be supported by at least three significant arguments. However, unless the essay has a required length, you can include more supporting facts or examples. There may be more body paragraphs than just three, depending on the details of the assignment or the points you are required to address, but keep in mind that your essay should be concise and devoid of wordiness. Usually, the essay writer should focus on one point or sub-topic per paragraph, but depending on the complexity of the topic, the quantity of paragraphs for validating each claim or explaining your reasoning may vary. 

You can think of body paragraphs as building blocks that include expert quotes or specific examples to add weight to them, as well as to your arguments. This is the ‘meat of your essay’ as long as you make sure that you explain the logic behind each quotation or evidence supporting your claim, and that it is in sync with your thesis statement. Such connections are essential as they tie not only the evidence and arguments, but an entire essay together. 

The conclusion is not simply a reiterated thesis, but a reinforced one. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it should not introduce any new facts not discussed in the body of a thematic essay. The conclusion has to summarize the information presented in the essay, briefly going over the main ideas or claims and explaining how they influence your thesis. Finally, it should wrap up your essay in the most meaningful way, emphasizing the significance and relevance of your topic.

Thematic Essay Examples

Check the examples of thematic essays to use as writing models:

https://www.template.net/business/essay/five-paragraph-essay-template/

Thematic essay topics

To sum up, reading some properly structured thematic essay examples may be the most helpful tip for understanding what your essay should look like, and how to organize your thoughts into a logical sequence. Besides, a list of the most commonly used thematic essay topics is a frequent search query along with ‘thematic essay examples’, as it helps students to get an idea of what to expect at exams.

US History Thematic Essay

In this essay, there will be fewer words that address the reader. The purpose of this writing is to present a balanced analysis of a topic based on facts, explaining a topic in a logical and straightforward manner.

US History thematic essay example topics:

• Major movements in U.S. history
• Major advances in U.S. history
• Significant government reforms
• U.S. Presidents and their major decisions 
• U.S. wars and conflicts

Global Regents Thematic Essay 

These topics are likely to feature broad concepts, but they usually include tasks and suggestions that are more specific. In your essay, you are supposed to address this detailed task and the issues, concepts or questions it prompts you to explain or interpret. Using examples from your course of global history or geography is also required in your thematic essay. 

Global Regents thematic essay example topics:

• Impact of colonizations on world history
• Migrations of people and their effects
• Major characteristics of world civilizations
• Cultures and their contributions
• Economic Systems
• Political Systems
• The turning points in history (revolutions, conflicts, wars)
• Revolutions and clashing of ideas
• Revolutions and new discoveries
• Scientific development
• Technological progress
• Human rights: impactful leaders and their ideas
• Human rights violations

Belief Systems Thematic Essay

A belief system is a way a group or an individual regards religious or philosophical principles. The beliefs that have formed major religions or a mainstay of a civilization may be similar or different, but each belief system has influenced the lives of its followers as well as the history, culture, politics, or economy of a specific nation or country.

Belief Systems thematic essay example topics:

• How belief systems influenced ancient civilizations?
• How did a belief form a religion?
• Cultures as systems of interconnections between humans
• The role of religion in Ancient Roman society
• The three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam
• Judaism: the first monotheistic religion
• The personal belief system and life values
• Compare Christianity to another religion. Are there more similarities or differences?
• Compare two struggles for religious freedom in different countries and time periods
• What makes all struggles for religious freedom similar?

The bottom line

While students often have difficulties writing thematic essays, these are not the most complicated tasks to complete within a certain course or subject. They just require making a detailed examination of the topic using relevant facts, examples or other evidence that you should be able to find in order to make your arguments more solid, and to show that you have gained a thorough understanding of the topic. However, you mustn’t just summarize the well-known facts or what you have learned from a course or book. In a thematic essay, you are supposed to identify and explain or compare issues, causes, patterns, outcomes, and connections between facts or events as well as their consequences or influences.

A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death

Due to human nature, we draw conclusions only when life gives us a lesson since the experience of others is not so effective and powerful. Therefore, when analyzing and sorting out common problems we face, we may trace a parallel with well-known book characters or real historical figures. Moreover, we often compare our situations with […]

Ethical Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper on ethics is not an easy task, especially if you do not possess excellent writing skills and do not like to contemplate controversial questions. But an ethics course is obligatory in all higher education institutions, and students have to look for a way out and be creative. When you find an […]

Art Research Paper Topics

Students obtaining degrees in fine art and art & design programs most commonly need to write a paper on art topics. However, this subject is becoming more popular in educational institutions for expanding students’ horizons. Thus, both groups of receivers of education: those who are into arts and those who only get acquainted with art […]

• Customer Reviews
• Extended Essays
• IB Internal Assessment
• Theory of Knowledge
• Literature Review
• Dissertations
• Essay Writing
• Research Writing
• Assignment Help
• Capstone Projects
• College Application
• Online Class

How to Write a Thematic Essay: The Complete Guide

by  Antony W

June 24, 2024

In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to write a thematic essay step-by-step.

Thematic essays, or theme essays, require you to really examine a literary object such as a book, journal, paper, or other art form and pick out the main ideas (themes).

You will then explain how these themes are brought on and what literary devices are used to do that.

Key Takeaways 

To write an outstanding theme essay, you should: 

• Select a literary work to base your thematic analysis on.
• Choose a primary theme.
• Identify supporting evidence and literary devices   used.
• Plan and outline the essay.
• Write the first draft.
• Edit and proofread your work for submission.

What is a Thematic Essay? 

A thematic essay is a one in which you identify the main idea (theme) expressed in a chosen literary object and explore how the writer of that literature chooses to address that theme through various literary devices.

The devices can be metaphors, hyperbole, imagery, allegory, and many others.

Writing a thematic analysis essay is a great way to learn how to pick out themes in the literature you read as well as how to improve your writing skills.

A thematic essay will be at least five paragraphs long , but usually longer depending on the complexity of the work being reviewed.

You can write a thematic essay based on a book, a speech, a magazine article, a video, audio, or any other art form.

Choosing a Theme for a Thematic Essay 

Choosing the main idea or theme of such a work is not a straightforward process.

It is highly subjective, and what you consider the main theme in a book may not be somebody else’s.

You have to make sure that what you pick as your main theme is fully supported throughout the book and makes significant appearances in most chapters, if not all of them.

How to Write a Thematic Essay Step by Step 

Writing a thematic essay is easy. You just have to: 

1. Choose a Literary Object

If your instructor does not provide the topic, think back to a book or article that made a strong impression to you, or think about your favorite pieces of literature.

Another option is to brainstorm. Brainstorming hardly fails, especially if you incorporate the help of your friends and even your instructor.

Collect different ideas and be sure to write each of them down, no matter how unlikely they sound. From there, eliminate most of these the following criteria:

• The topic should be interesting and captivating. Avoid those that are too common and overly used in academia unless you can provide a fresh twist or insight.
• The topic needs to have one or more important themes running through.
• It should be a literary work that is relatively well known and in the public domain.
• Some of the shorter works are best because they guarantee your essay won’t be too long.

This process will likely leave you with one or two possible topics, but make sure to confirm with your instructor that what you choose to focus on is acceptable.

2. Find a Relevant Theme

A theme is a significant idea that recurs throughout the literary work you have chosen. You can think of it as the main message the author is trying to pass across. 

There are major and minor themes differentiated by how much attention the author gives to each.

For the best outcome, your theme should be one of the major themes addressed throughout the work.

There are a few things you can do to figure out what major themes are present: 

• As you read the work, note and write down what tone, setting, language styles, and characterization the writer is using.
• What is the plot of the book and what does it lead to? Think about what you would tell somebody else about the book.
• Identify who the protagonist (main character) is and what they represent. Do they change at all in the book? 

For example, in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch does not change and represents morality, love, fairness, and good reason to the end.

• Put yourself in the author’s shoes and observe from their point of view. What message do you think they want to pass on as the most important?

3. Pick Material for the Essay

Read through the book again with the main theme in mind.

See how the author plays with it, what literary devices are used to highlight their thematic approach, and write down all these for reference.

What you are doing at this stage is a literary analysis.

The tools in the author’s hands include character development, mood, setting, irony, allegory, simile, alliteration, symbolism, metaphor, among many others.

Think about how effective these tools are in shining the light upon the main theme. It helps to read between the lines as well because sometimes the most important thing is what the author leaves unsaid.

4. Planning: Thematic Essay Outline 

A thematic essay is very simple and straightforward. Like most essays, it will have an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Each of these parts should be considered carefully in the planning stage and map out which ideas will go where.

Introduction

The introduction serves to catch the reader’s interest, set the background, and mention what exactly you intend to discuss in the essay.

The first one or two sentences should be a hook, that is, a statement that will be intriguing enough to make the reader want to keep reading. It can be a clever observation, a surprising statement, or even a relevant question.

Second, provide a very brief background on which to build your essay.

However, you will be assuming that the reader has already read the literary work that is the subject of the essay. So you don’t have to give too much detail.

In winding up the introductory, write your thesis statement . This is a one-sentence statement that tells the reader what your essay is about.

However, don’t say it like this: “My thesis statement is ... “ Instead, let the introduction flow and link smoothly up to this point.

Body paragraphs

You will have three or more body paragraphs detailing your arguments about the main theme. In a thematic essay, each of the body paragraphs will be focusing on one literary device and how it is useful in presenting the theme message.

As with most essays, body paragraphs will follow the TEEL format. 

• Topic Sentence : The introductory sentence introduces the idea that the paragraph is about. Think of it as a mini-thesis statement. The rest of the paragraph will be explaining and supporting this one statement.
• Explanation:  Explain your topic idea clearly.
• Evidence : Give compelling evidence for your claims. It can be a quote, a direct observation, similar use of the same method elsewhere in the book, a citation from an authoritative work, etc.
• Link : Show how the idea you just described links with the rest of the essay and thesis statement. Again, you won’t say, “this idea relates to my thesis statement because …” Instead, let the whole paragraph flow smoothly and seamlessly.

The number of body paragraphs will depend on how much evidence you have collected. However, make sure to keep within the reasonable word count parameters as given by your instructor.

Recap the main arguments in your body and restate your thesis statement.

The purpose of the conclusion is to give your “take-home” argument, what you feel the reader should retain from the whole work.

Customize your theme essay outline accordingly; don’t make it as generic as this example here.

Fill it with details like what ideas you will include in your first paragraph, what your thesis statement will be, and what your introduction hook is. With this thematic essay format, you are now ready to do the write-up.

5. Write the Essay

With a good outline, writing a thematic essay becomes a piece of cake. You will simply be fleshing out the template.

6. Proofreading and Revision

Make sure to read through your essay at least twice.

Note how well your ideas flow, how the arguments and evidence presented link back to the thesis statement, and of course, clear any grammatical errors. 

Thematic Essay Writing Help 

If you don’t have the time to read your subject thoroughly and analytically, you can hire Help for Assessment’s  essay writing service .  We have a suitable writer that can help you get the assignment completed on time. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. how do you start a theme essay.

The introduction of your theme essay should be an intriguing hook about the subject you wish to discuss.

Ensure the hook is concise and strong enough to grab your reader’s attention.

2. What are the Elements of a Thematic Essay? 

The elements of a thematic essay are the introduction, body paragraphs, and the conclusion.

Ensure the introduction includes a thesis statement. The body paragraphs should support the thesis using relevant examples, evidence, and arguments.

Lastly, the conclusion should be logical enough to tie everything together at the end.

3. What is the Main Point of a Thematic Essay? 

The main point of a thematic essay is to identify themes from a source, present a theme statement, and address a specific issue within the requirement of the assignment. 

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

Project Types We Cover

• Admissions Essay
• PowerPoint Presentation
• Research Paper
• Book Reviews
• Personal Statement
• Ph.D Dissertation
• Proofreading

Academic Fields & Subjects

• Programming
• Computer Science
• Other projects we help with
• Our Experts
• Plagiarism Checker
• Writing Tips

How to Write a Thematic Essay

By: Tasha Kolesnikova

Thematic essays deal with major themes or topics in a society or a country. As a result, they allow students to become aware of what's going on and provide their voice. Additionally, the arguments presented in the essay may have significance in real life. Therefore, theme essays should be a part of every curriculum.

What is a Thematic Essay

Take help from your experience, make internet your best, guidance from other literature pieces, summarize the literature, pick the most prevalent subject, overall significance, tips for choosing the best themes for thematic essays, theme essay outline and draft, introduction, body paragraphs, proofreading and taking advice, belief systems, global regents thematic essay, literary theme paper example, thematic essay introduction example, thematic essay main body, theme essay conclusion.

Many students find the thematic essay definition a bit confusing. What does it mean for a written piece to be thematic?

Thematic essay

A theme essay is a type of writing that requires students to analyze and respond to a specific theme or central idea. It typically involves examining how the chosen theme is developed across multiple literary works, historical events, or other sources. The goal of a thematic essay is to demonstrate the writer's ability to identify, interpret, and articulate the significance of a theme, often drawing connections between different texts or contexts.

In this type of essay, you will be required to develop a central theme. Do you remember the words "foreshadowing , " "imagery," and "personification"? You will be using these to analyze the central theme of the piece of writing you have chosen. Along with the literary devices, you will be proving your interpretations and logical arguments. Let us now move to the outline that you must follow to develop an essay that surpasses your professor's expectations.

Thematic essays work with a social theme of importance. The author uses several literary techniques, like metaphors and imagery, to get across their point. Additionally, the author explores the theme in-depth and tries to make a general statement. They also highlight a specific issue that should be addressed, backed by the findings of the author.

Authors try to pick a theme that is relevant to society or the present. They may also present recommendations to deal with the issue for a better future.

Best of all, theme essays allow you to explore the different nuances of culture and society. Therefore, writing the essay also enriches the knowledge of the author.

Thematic essays are generally graded on rubrics.

Theme Essay Steps

To write an excellent thematic essay, choosing a theme plays a crucial part. For this type of essay, some college students tend to go with a vast theme, that shifts the entire paper's focus. On the contrary, some select a particular direction. This is problematic because finding information becomes challenging this way, So, how do you come up with an ideal topic? Here are a few ways you can tackle this challenge:.

As a student, you might have had opportunities of working on different types of essays. If you ever worked with a topic suitable for here, utilize it. By doing so, you will save time that would have been spent on additional research, and you will be more educated regarding the route to take. Find relevant notes, pull up saved links, anything beneficial for the essay.

Internet is an excellent source to get your ideal hands-on topics. If you lack the experience and are looking forward to coming up with a theme on your own, this is the next best alternative. However, make sure the topic you select has enough content on it. Also, the resources are authentic and credible.

List down the best literature pieces according to you. Next, skim through each of them. You never know; this might provide you enough inspiration to come up with your idea.

Pick a Central Theme

As stated previously, uncovering the central theme and main subject is the first building block of your thematic paper. Follow the steps below to prevent any mistake in the choosing process:

Identify what the author is trying to convey. Chances are, it will be repeatedly mentioned throughout. All you need to do is stay vigilant and not miss out on the hints that come along the way. It is no rocket science.

First, you need to understand the difference between a theme and a subject. A subject makes up the general topic on which the entire conversation is based. On the other hand, a theme is more of a specific point, and the author tries to establish the subject. This forms the focal point of your essay.

This will be the overall significance of academic writing. What can a reader take away from the essay? What can be applied to personal lives? In short, the lesson learned from this.

Count on your personal experience: A theme that resonates in your life will make the best essay . You are likely to go into depth as the issue affects your lifestyle.

Note down your ideas: Some ideas that come to your mind may seem useless. However, note down every idea, as they may seem important at the latest. Additionally, these trivial ideas can give rise to more relevant ones.

Explore contemporary literature: Reading current literature may give you ample ideas for thematic essays. Additionally, you can use the cues from their essays on themes to strengthen your arguments.

Stay updated on the latest trends: Themes that affect society don't stay the same. At one time, the industrial revolution transformed the world. However, it is not that relevant today in the world of artificial intelligence. Therefore, stay updated on the latest news and trends to choose the most relevant topics.

Look at issues that affect you: This is the best way to choose a topic for a theme essay. You are going to perform well if you take up a theme that impacts your daily life, like waste management.

Your aim has to be creative and vigilant while writing. This is important so that you do not miss out on crucial details. Thus, starting from a draft makes perfect sense. You will always need to go back and revise your work once you are done. Never consider your first copy to be your last. Outline and follow it throughout. A template is okay as well.

One critical piece of advice here is to keep checking your transitions and the flow of the essay. Often, students tend to treat each paragraph as a mini-essay and forget that they have to be cohesive with each other. Excessive wordiness and expression of emotion should be avoided. The tone while drafting this should be neutral. Do not be very formal or informal. It would help if you sounded respectful and sincere.

Thematic Essay Structure and Format

Essay outline should stick to a structure or format for the best results. It also allows the reader to get vital information quickly and gives your essay more importance.

Below is a format you can implement for your thematic essay:

An essay starts with an introduction . The first sentence of the thematic essay introduction paragraph should be as captivating and interesting as possible. It is your first chance to make a good impression on the reader and to catch their attention. This section should highlight background information and all the significant points of the essay. Try being strategic while devising this section. Use practical tools like a dash of humor or start by posing an engaging question. Stating a surprising and exciting fact is also an excellent way to encourage the readers to stay glued to your work. With that said, do not make this paragraph very lengthy. It has to be concise and deliver the main idea about your essay. The last line of your intro paragraph has to be a thematic thesis statement. This is the argument you will be proving throughout your essay. Therefore, don't change the wording of your hypothesis.

This is the essay's main body, where you will be conducting a detailed discussion of the novel's central theme or issue. You will be developing your argument, providing analysis, and supporting justifications. Remember that you shouldn't make baseless, sweeping statements, as it will weaken your stance and the overall quality of your writing. Keep a checklist of the main points so that you don't miss any. Subheadings can come in handy in a theme essay. They will make your content less cluttered. Keep all of the paragraphs of equal length. Start each one with a topic sentence and refrain from adding multiple ideas in a single thematic paragraph. This will help you produce a quality paper. You can find numerous samples of thematic essays on a writing service website. Please go through them in case you have any confusion.

You may use two, three, or four paragraphs in your body without any problems. However, don’t add unnecessary information to make your essay longer.

Your body should contain the following things, like a topic sentence. However, you should state only facts and refrain from presenting your own opinions. Additionally, you can mention names, dates, places, and other information backed by evidence.

Additionally, be descriptive about the points you are presenting in your essay. Moreover, analyze the facts to make the readers understand what you want to say.

Most importantly, evaluate the key points in detail. They will go a long way toward proving or disproving your hypothesis. Additionally, you should also give examples to elaborate on the points you are presenting in your essay.

One tip is to not overthink your theme thesis. Go over the examples you have included in your essay and pick the best one to explain your hypothesis.

Additionally, you should keep examples simple and use transitory phrases to ensure a smooth flow for a good thematic essay.

After discussing all of the points on how to write a theme paragraph, it's now time for a closing ceremony. Keep your essay conclusion crisp and short. Do not give additional arguments or add points that you might have missed earlier. Remember, it must be glued to your content. So, ensure that your content is smooth and has a logical conclusion at the end.

Moreover, your conclusion gives you the power to create robust arguments. You can bring logical closure to your essay and make your opinion stand out. However, don’t just state the themes again but focus on their analyses and impacts. Moreover, include all the vital arguments in your conclusion. You may even suggest steps to resolve the issue or provide recommendations.

After you are finished with the writing part, you will conduct a two-step reviewing and editing process. First, go through the content and make the necessary changes while cross-checking it with the rubric provided to you by your professor. Next, ask your classmate or a friend to read your essay about themes. Ask them if any part is lacking evidence or if you haven't made a point clear. You can also consult your teacher. They can guide you in case any primary or secondary argument is missing. Since they have read the material or will be familiar with the theme, they can also point out the areas you have forgotten or are worth discussing more. So, this phase is all about making your argument robust and paper detailed. Do not be shy or stingy when adding a lot of points. You can always go back and remove them. It is the "adding" part that is the hardest.

Here is a list that you should keep in front of you when you are done writing a thematic essay:

• Do not include text that is not make any contribution to your stance;
• Avoid using complicated words;
• Refrain yourself from exaggerating;
• Do not use long sentences;
• Do not submit your theme analysis essay without citing the work that you have used to make your argument stronger;
• Please do not submit the paper without reviewing it twice;
• Make sure that you have used the correct paper structure;
• Run your work through grammar and plagiarism checking software;
• Check the formatting.

Thematic Essay Topics - Choose the Themes Wisely

To give you some inspiration, here are some English thematic topics related to different subjects:

• Is the death penalty ethical? Should it be allowed?
• Can people carry handguns?
• Class fellows make a considerable impression on a child's success in school life.
• Childhood years are the most crucial years of a person's life.
• Video games are good for mental health.
• A person must always consult others for critical decision making.
• Is divorce a solution to marital problems?
• Women should stay at home and work.
• The role of a political system in a society.
• The changed meaning of philosophy.
• Can an individual control unconscious thinking?
• The roles of Men and Women in society.
• The role of Materialistic values in the modern era.
• Human rights in the 21st century.
• The issue of slavery in America.
• The era of civil war.
• Facts and events of the most critical century in American history.
• Industrialization in the US.
• Periods of the Cold War.
• Then vs. now: modern America.
• The US and the Muslim countries.
• US-Russia relations.
• International organizations.
• UN and USA.
• What is the main idea behind the poem "The Road not taken" by Robert Frost?
• Which themes did Bernard Shaw highlight in his novel "Arms and the man"?
• What does John Steinbeck mean when he talks about loneliness and isolation in Of Mice and Men?
• What are the themes highlighted in the novel "the great gatsby"?
• Harper Lee discusses "innocence" in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird; what does she mean by it?

Examples on How to Write a Theme Essay

Let’s say we have chosen the theme of working from home for our thematic essay. Therefore, your introduction will describe how remote working has become the norm across the world. You will cite statistics, like 70% of the global workforce wants to work from home for a few days of the week. Many companies have embraced a hybrid working model.

In addition, you will present your hypotheses, such as that working from home will stay even if the pandemic goes away. However, you should collect enough information and facts to prove your hypothesis and make it sound. A good theme essay example should thoroughly explain the topic.

Your main body should support your hypothesis. Therefore, it is necessary to present facts and figures that prove your point. For example, research shows that working from home can boost the productivity of individual employees.

Additionally, the workforce finds it easy to maintain an optimum work-life balance. Moreover, businesses also save on costs like overhead when they allow remote work.

Most importantly, remote work reduces the stress of daily commute to work. It also lets employees work at their convenience without compromising time.

With some research, you will find ample statistics to show the benefits of remote work.

The conclusion of your thematic essay provides an opportunity to sum up your arguments. You can express how remote working benefits both organizations and employees. Additionally, modern employees prefer flexible working models to balance work and life. These arguments show that working from home is a viable choice for businesses around the world. It can improve performance, reduce costs, and allow businesses to achieve their objectives.

Lastly, you may end your essay with the references you used to make your arguments. You should also use citations for numbers and figures in your essay based on your college’s requirements.

Now that you have gotten familiar with the themes and the essay outline, you will not spend hours on every step. Just drink some hot cocoa, open up this article, and get started!

User ratings:

User ratings is 4.7 stars.

4.7 /5 ( 5 Votes)

Content Writer

I studied sociology and marketing at Europa-Universität Viadrina (Germany) and Universidade da Beira Interior (Portugal). When I was a sophomore, back in 2018, I decided to put what I've learned into practice, so I got my first job in digital marketing. I currently work in the content marketing department at Studybay, building strong, effective, and respectful communication between the platform and our clients.

Add Your Comment

We are very interested to know your opinion

Upgrade your writing skills!

Try our AI essay writer from Studybay today!

How to Write a Thematic Essay

What is a thematic essay.

A thematic essay is a type of essay where the writer develops the main theme in literature using particular literary devices like personification, imagery, metaphor, and so on. The significance of the theme should be expressed by the writer. The main challenge for writing this type of essay is that each writer has his or her own interpretation of the central theme. In any case, a good thematic essay should include logical arguments supported with literary devices – you should know these facts whether you are going to write an essay yourself, and if you are going to order an essay .

How to choose a thematic essay topic

How to write a thematic analysis essay in 6 steps

• Prepare for writing . Find the source material that you are going to use (such as abstracts of read literature, recording the results of discussions, or your own considerations about the theme). It is important to process the available source material (its organization, reasoning, and arguments) in the proper way.
• Take notes when reading. When you are taking notes, you pay attention (after making the appropriate decision) to those moments that are key (literary devices in our case). While making notes, you select the relevant material and develop your understanding of literary devices which are used.
• Write an introduction. It should include a summary of your understanding and approach to the answer to the question. It is very useful to cover what you intend to do in the essay (your goals), and how you are going to analyze the theme. Presenting literary devices themselves should be given in the main part of your essay. Write a thesis statement that will grab the reader’s attention.
• Write the main section. This part assumes the development of your analysis. This consists of the main content of your essay, and this is the main difficulty: you have to substantiate (logically, using examples) the analysis you are proposing. Filling the sections with your analysis, limit within the paragraph the consideration of one main idea.
• Write a conclusion. The final part of the essay may include a brief summary of your analysis, but try to make it very brief. Don’t include any new information in your conclusion. Restate the thesis statement that you have included in the introduction. Summarize the main claims from your body paragraphs.
• Edit the essay. Reviewing the first draft is of great importance to writing an essay. When writing a draft, your main task is to develop analysis, refine the basic ideas, and arrange them in a strict sequence, accompanying them with examples. After writing the first draft, leave it for a day or two, and then go back to work on checking and improving, with a fresh mind. When checking, first of all, pay attention to the strength of your analysis. Does the essay you completed coincide with your intentions you had before writing? Is it coherent and convincing? Are the examples used enough?

Thematic essay sample

You, apparently, want to get a good grade for your thematic essay, and a sample can help you with that. We want to present you a thematic essay sample on relationships between a human and a dog in the novel “The Call of the Wild.” Get some ideas from it if you want to write a quality paper and get a good grade.

How Is the Relationship Between Human and Dog Presented in the Novel The Call of the Wild ?

Connected Feelings

Dog is man’s best friend. This is considered a cliché because we all know the “uses” of dogs in our lives. They can be guard dogs, hunting dogs, herding dogs, guide dogs, and police dogs (“Dog”). Clearly, it is not different with what Buck’s responsibilities are. Normally, humans return the devotion with friendship. But is the friendship offered by the owner enough in return for the adoration a dog gives? In the story Call of the Wild , a human showed that we, people, can give more than just friendship and companionship.

At the start of the story, we can see the importance of Buck to Judge Miller’s family was not simply as a pet to be pampered but more likely to be a reliable companion and protector. Buck and his father Elmo were consistent hunters and protectors of the residence. No wonder they were treated well, resulting in good experiences for Buck with men. Unfortunately, one life-changing experience showed him of the fiercer way of life.

We see how the people treated dogs ruthlessly. They forced dogs to pull heavy weight despite their tiredness and the cold weather. Dogs were not compensated enough with sleep and food even though they worked hard throughout the day.

Heaven came to Buck and his mates when they met their savior through the personality of John Thornton. For the first time, he experienced a passionate love he never felt from his former owner Judge Miller. Thus, Buck returned to his master Thornton with total devotion. However, one day, Thornton died. With a devastated and broken heart, Buck took his revenge for his master and then joined a pack of wolves. Despite his new wild life, he always returns to the place where Thornton died to mourn for his one-of-a-kind, loving master.

At the end of the story, we can see that time and death never became a hindrance for the dog to show his connected feelings with his master. Indeed, loyalty is not the only thing a dog can give. The dog can also shower its owner with unconditional love and adoration. It is no wonder that Robert Wagner, an American actor, quoted, “A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won’t be too bad.”

Works Cited

“Dog.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, 12 Oct. 2017. Web. 13 Oct 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog London, Jack. The Call of the Wild . 1903. Ibiblio. Web. 14 October 2017, https://www.ibiblio.org/ebooks/London/Call%20of%20Wild.pdf

How to find a central theme

The core of a thematic essay is finding the central theme. Not every student can handle this task. Here are some tips that can help you to choose wisely.

• Think about the core element of the book that you are analyzing. Usually, this is not a problem, as the author makes the core idea clear. To paint a clear picture here, we advise you to take notes. Stay focused in order not to miss important things that may help you to write your essay.
• Differentiate the theme from the subject of the work under analysis. The general topic of the conversation is a subject. For example: love, hate, or brevity. A theme is more specific and is based on the subject.
• To understand what the essence of the essay presents, look at the point that is brought up often in the book.
• Find out what the main point is that the author tries to present. Don’t worry if you can’t see this point immediately.
• One of the most important things is overall significance. Think about how a reader can benefit from the author’s message and what lesson he or she can learn.

Tips for writing a thematic essay

• Have you carefully read the relevant literature (chapters from books and other sources relevant to the theme)? Did you read the question carefully? Have you thought about what the approach will be for writing a thematic essay? These questions should be answered before you start writing your paper.
• You should develop a detailed plan for your writing before you start your work.
• The essay should be written according to the teacher’s requirements and academic rules.
• The introduction should be concise and correspond to the topic.
• You should formulate one clear main question in each paragraph.
• Paragraphs should be presented in logical sequence.
• Your claims and examples should be used effectively.
• Reference to the sources should be presented correctly.
• You should avoid descriptions without analysis.
• The conclusion should be concise and relevant.
• Don’t forget to make a bibliography indicating all reference materials.
• Keep in mind that you should hand in your essay at the appointed time.

How to analyze the prompt

You need to carefully read the teacher’s instructions. You may be faced with the following tasks:

 – To discuss. You need to make observations using arguments, logic, statistics, and so on.  – To describe. You need to use numerous details to illustrate the topic.  – To show. You need to point out something, to state your opinion.  – To explain. You need to present things in an understandable manner using reasons and causes.

Mistakes to avoid in writing a thematic essay

• You are unable to answer the question.
• You organize your answer badly.
• You are not able to adhere to the answer to the main question.
• You don’t include enough examples.
• You present too extensive a narrative, which is not backed up by analysis.You state other
• points of view without expressing your own position.
• You repeat your thoughts unnecessarily.

We hope that you get much inspiration to write a thematic essay on your own. Using this guide, prepared by our essay writer online , is the best option to write a quality paper. You can always look for ideas in the samples we present on our site. Having a guide and samples is the simplest and most reasonable way to write a good paper on any topic.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

What our customers say

Our website uses secure cookies. More details

Get professional help from best writers right from your phone

Grab our 3 e-books bundle for $27 FREE

• Place order

How to write a thematic statement Step-by-Step

Your instructor has assigned you to write a thematic statement, and you probably do not know how to begin or what steps to take. Now, you are lucky because that's what this guide is all about.

Our team of expert literature writers came up with examples that we have included in this guide. Then, our editorial team pieced it up to help you write a thematic or theme statement that will meet the requirements.

After you are done reading an assignment for class, a novel, short story, lyrics, poems, or essays, you might be asked to write a theme or thematic statement. When asked to do so, you are being asked to condense the gist of your piece of literary work in a sentence or two. But how do you do it? How do you find the theme?

To answer these two questions, go through this structured step-by-step guide on how to write a thematic statement.

What is a Thematic Statement?

A theme statement, thematic sentence, or thematic statement refers to a sentence or two sentences describing the predominant message or theme of a literary work such as a novel, short story, poem, song, or story. It is a precise statement that summarizes the essence or gist of a story. It is a statement that can be transformed into a thesis statement in a thematic essay. It explains the powerful message that the author is trying to communicate in their work.

Examples include:

• Family is the structure upon which society is built.
• Maternal love surpasses all the love there is in the world.
• True love is an illusion.
• Love conquers all.
• Love can make you forget about yourself and care more for others, even if it means putting your life on the line.

A thematic statement is not a theme, and neither is it a thesis statement, as we shall explore shortly.

A thematic statement contains a single root keyword, also referred to as theme, thematic idea, or thematic assertion.

You can use a thematic statement when writing a five-paragraph essay such as a synthesis essay, critical analysis essay , analytical essay, or thematic essay. They are also frequently used in funeral speeches, marriage toasts, stories, or rhetorical analysis essays.

Thematic Statement vs. Thesis Statement vs. Themes

Thematic statements differ from thesis statements in many ways. For example, while a thematic statement may be factual and comprise unbeatable facts, a thesis statement must be arguable and precise.

A thematic statement is also completely different from a theme. The theme describes the main message that the author or writer wishes to convey through their writing, whereas the thematic statement offers the context for readers to understand the theme better; it expounds on the theme.

The theme can be represented using one or two words, for instance, courage, hate, and love. On the contrary, a thematic statement is usually a complete sentence that conveys the theme. It is possible to have more than one theme in a literary work, and not every single one of them is directly mentioned.

Significance of thematic statements

A thematic statement is simply a summary of the entire literary work. Its main aim is to give readers a hint of what the literary piece is about before they read it in full. In addition, it also provides an insight into the writer's central theme and message.

It offers a bit of background information on exactly how the author constructed their work so that you can get a clearer understanding of the basis of their arguments and views.

Examples of Thematic Statements

If you are assigned to write an analytical essay or synthesis essay, here is how to express the theme statement:

• In The Dark Knight Rises , Christopher Nolan presents the idea that true heroism requires complete and utter selflessness.
• The central theme of 'Finding Nemo' is that fear is sometimes more dangerous than danger itself.
• In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare presents the idea that love is more powerful than hate.
• 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.
• 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.
• Insanity, given prolonged exposure to the isolation of the wilderness, seems an inevitable extension of disorder.
• As one develops morally and psychologically, he learns his duty to his family and community.
• Courage allows people to attempt complicated tasks in their lives even when there is a chance of failing.
• Independence is necessary to grow up though it can be frightening.

Let's now look at the general theme statements you are likely to encounter in literature.

• Love can bring out the best version of ourselves.
• Loving and appreciating others, despite their flaws, can lead to a happier life.
• Love stretched to extremes can be very dangerous.
• Love carries the power to either positively or negatively change us.
• Unconditional love can resist any obstacle.
• People need faith in themselves to survive in a cruel world.
• Accepting yourself will lead to others accepting you as well.
• A person's identity is not stationary; it develops as they continue to learn more about themselves.
• Being authentic to oneself can lead to opportunities in life that you did not anticipate.
• Believing in yourself and your abilities is a scary but vital lesson to learn.
• Fear is just a state of mind.
• The fear of something is actually more dangerous than the actual danger.
• The worst thing to fear is fear itself.
• Fear robs the mind of all its reasoning and acting powers.
• People cannot defeat fear by simply pretending that everything that hurts them does not exist.
• Death is a part of the natural circle of life; we should embrace it instead of fearing it.
• There is no need to be afraid of death as life is what matters most.
• Death is a dreadful end that snatches away people without any notice, leaving behind their loved ones to come to terms with the unexpected loss.
• Death is inevitable; people should come to terms with it by living their lives to the fullest instead of living in fear of the unknown.
• Death is a mysterious happening that changes things for eternity and leaves the affected ones to deal with their grief.
• Trust is hard to build, and it can easily be destroyed with one wrong deed.
• It takes a lot of courage to trust other people knowing that they might disappoint you.
• Although it is difficult to accept, you cannot always trust your family and friends to always want the best for you.
• The strength of any relationship depends on how much you trust the other individual.
• Trust is not just given; it is earned via actions.
• Failure is one of the best ways to learn and become stronger.
• You haven't failed until you stop trying.
• How you define failure is up to you.
• Failing is part of life; what matters is how you pick up yourself after failing.
• Failure is another stepping stone toward success; it is not final.
• Parenting will test your resolve and patience and define who you are as an individual.
• Parenting is the toughest but most fulfilling job in the world.
• Parenting is all about stressing the positive and staying optimistic during difficult times.
• Children come with lots of responsibilities, but it is all worth it.
• The tender years of a child's life set the foundation and tone of what is to come.
• The choices people make define who they are as individuals.
• Someone's real character will always come to light, regardless of their actions.
• Our character is founded on the choices that we make daily.
• Someone's real character is disclosed when they perform a brave act and go against the norm.
• A person's character determines how they are perceived by others.
• Faith gives people a sense of purpose and hope.
• Faith is what unites people and keeps them strong.
• People are naturally conditioned to believe in something and follow a certain path.
• Faith has the power to inspire people not to give up, no matter how challenging things might seem.
• Believing in a greater being or thing than oneself provides some sense of security and comfort.
• True friends are difficult to come across, and the real ones are worth the wait.
• A real friend will accept you for who you are and not what you have.
• The effort and time invested in a friendship determine its strength.
• A genuine friend will always support you, even in times of difficulty.
• Friends will come and go, but your family will never desert you.
• Nature offers an escape from the real world and allows people to find themselves.
• Life's beauty is wrapped in nature's diversity.
• Nothing can be compared to the beauty of nature in its natural state.
• Nature should be respected and admired; it should not be controlled.
• Nature is what keeps us alive and should be embraced in all that we do.
• Life is what people make it, despite its challenges.
• What makes life special is its succinctness; there is no need to be afraid of death.
• Life is short, and so every day should be lived to the fullest and cherished.
• Life is what matters, not material possessions.
• People should enjoy life when they still have the chance to.
• Fighting change results in stagnation, while embracing it results in growth.
• Change is something that should be welcomed; it generates new opportunities and encourages growth.
• Life can never remain the same; it should be embraced and not feared.
• Change is inevitable and relentless; people should learn to welcome it.
• Accepting change is one of the most powerful things someone can do.
• Suffering is unfair, often afflicting those people who do not deserve it.
• Unnecessary suffering has devastating impacts on its victims.
• Suffering only lasts for a while; it is not permanent.
• Suffering destroys the faint-hearted and strengthens the strong-willed.
• Suffering is sometimes a by-product of our actions.

Step-by-step guide on how to write Thematic Statements

Here are the steps to take if you want to write a good thematic statement.

1. Develop a list of themes

Begin by gathering different ideas from the literary work and make a proper list of them. Next, gather the abstract words that express the primary ideas of the work (mainly, these are the topics in the work). These abstract words describe the ideas or concepts that exist only in our minds, like oppression, disillusionment, cruelty, love, hate, hubris, identity, sacrifice, or survival. You should then combine the abstract ideas with comments that reflect on the author's observations in the piece of literary work you are reading. Carefully go through them to see which ones can be backed with evidence, such as examples and facts. Look for the idea that you can easily support using the provided text.

2. Research extensively

To get the best idea for your writing, conduct extensive research. First, read through any articles or books that are of relevance to your topic. Then take time to think about the message you want to convey to your readers.

3. Get inspiration from other works

The next step is to read the thematic statements of other writers. Literary works reveal the thoughts of different people regarding different issues; they are the authors' views and interpretations of life in general. Therefore, drawing inspiration from other writers can be very helpful when coming up with your own thematic statement.

4. Identify conflict areas

Conflicts are vital when it comes to an understanding the theme. They make literary works interesting. By identifying the conflict areas, you will better understand the text.

5. Focus on the thesis statement or crux

The most important part of your work is the thesis statement. A good thesis statement is concise and conveys the intended message in a single sentence. You should, therefore, concentrate on getting it right. Thesis statements are important as they convey the literary work's main message quickly without losing any meaning.

6. Decide the best theme statement for you

Depending on your analysis of the text, settle on one thematic statement that is relevant to the writing.

7. Write the thematic statement

The final step is to put down your chosen thesis statement. Then, follow the above steps for the perfect thematic statement.

Dos and Don'ts when writing Thematic Statements

Thematic Statement Template

Let's look at templates we can use when writing theme statements.

For Stories and Books or literary works

General theme statement

Example of how to use the template

Universal A-Z list of Themes

• Adolescence – discovery, pain, loneliness
• Alienation – the destruction of the soul
• Ambition – persistence or corruption
• Appearances – deception and reality
• Beauty of diversity
• Beauty of simplicity
• Capitalism– effect on the individual
• Change of power – the necessity
• Change versus tradition
• Chaos and order
• Character – destruction, building up
• Circle of life
• Coming of age
• Communication – verbal and nonverbal
• Companionship as salvation
• Convention and rebellion
• Dangers of ignorance
• Darkness and light
• Death – inevitable or tragedy
• Desire to escape
• Destruction of beauty
• Disillusionment and dreams
• Displacement
• Empowerment
• Emptiness of attaining the false dream
• Everlasting love
• Evils of racism
• Facing darkness
• Facing reality
• Fading beauty
• Faith versus doubt
• Family – blessing or curse
• Fate and free will
• Fear of failure
• Female roles
• Fulfillment
• Good versus bad
• Greed as downfall
• Growing up – pain or pleasure
• Hazards of passing judgment
• Heartbreak of betrayal
• Heroism – real and perceived
• Hierarchy in nature
• Identity crisis
• Illusion of power
• Immortality
• Individual versus society
• Inner versus outer strength
• Isolationism – hazards
• Knowledge versus ignorance
• Loneliness as a destructive force
• Losing hope
• Loss of innocence
• Love and sacrifice
• Man against nature
• Manipulation
• Materialism as downfall
• Name – power, and significance
• Nationalism – complications
• Nature as beauty
• Necessity of work
• Oppression of women
• Optimism – power or folly
• Overcoming – fear, weakness, vice
• Patriotism – positive side or complications
• Power and corruption
• Power of silence
• Power of tradition
• Power of wealth
• Power of words
• Pride and downfall
• Progress – real or illusion
• Quest for discovery
• Quest for power
• Role of men
• Role of Religion – virtue or hypocrisy• Role of women • Self – inner and outer
• Self-awareness
• Self-preservation
• Self-reliance
• Social mobility
• Technology in society – good or bad
• Temporary nature of physical beauty
• Temptation and destruction
• Totalitarianism
• Vanity as downfall
• Vulnerability of the meek
• Vulnerability of the strong
• War – glory, necessity, pain, tragedy
• Will to survive
• Wisdom of experience
• Working-class struggles
• Youth and beauty

Need a Discount to Order?

15% off first order, what you get from us.

Plagiarism-free papers

Our papers are 100% original and unique to pass online plagiarism checkers.

Well-researched academic papers

Even when we say essays for sale, they meet academic writing conventions.

24/7 online support

Hit us up on live chat or Messenger for continuous help with your essays.

Easy communication with writers

Order essays and begin communicating with your writer directly and anonymously.

How to Write a Thematic Essay (Thematic Essay Examples Included)

Apr 8, 2024 | 0 comments

Apr 8, 2024 | Blog | 0 comments

Writing an essay can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to tackling a thematic essay. A thematic essay requires students to analyze a specific theme or concept and draw connections between various literary works, historical events, or scientific phenomena. By exploring the underlying messages and ideas presented in the chosen theme, students can develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter and present a cohesive argument in their essay. This article will discuss how to write a thematic analysis essay, providing helpful tips and tricks to guide you through the process. We will also include examples of thematic essays to demonstrate how to structure and convey your ideas effectively in a thematic essay. So whether you’re a seasoned essay writer looking to enhance your skills or a student facing their first thematic essay assignment, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to write a compelling and insightful thematic essay. 

Table of Contents

Thematic Essay Definition?

A thematic essay is a specific type of essay that focuses on exploring and analyzing a central theme within a piece of literature, a historical event, or any other subject matter. The primary goal of a thematic essay is to delve into the theme’s significance and how it relates to the overall meaning or message of the work or event being examined.

Unlike a summary essay that recounts the main events or plot points, a thematic essay requires the writer to go beyond the surface level and uncover the deeper, underlying ideas central to the work. This type of essay challenges the writer to critically analyze the explored theme’s literary devices, historical context, or broader implications.

The Purpose of a Thematic Essay

The primary purpose of a thematic essay is to demonstrate the writer’s ability to critically analyze a central theme and explore its deeper significance within a larger work or context. By focusing on a specific theme, the writer can delve into the nuances and complexities of the subject matter, showcasing their analytical skills and depth of understanding.

Additionally, writing a thematic essay can help students develop critical thinking and communication skills, as they must carefully select evidence, construct logical arguments, and **convey their ideas clearly and compellingly. This type of essay is often assigned in academic settings, as it prepares students for the rigors of higher-level analysis and scholarly discourse.

Environmental Studies Assignment Help

Looking for expert guidance? Click here to explore our Environmental Studies Assignment Help and ace your assignments with ease!

How to Write a Thematic Essay: Step-By-Step

Crafting a compelling thematic essay requires a systematic approach. In the sections below, we’ll detail each process step – from choosing a thought-provoking theme to polishing your final draft. Get ready to dive deep, analyze critically, and produce a compelling thematic essay.

Step 1: How to choose a thematic essay topic

Selecting the right thematic essay topic is crucial to the success of your piece. When choosing a topic, look for themes that are rich in complexity and offer ample room for analysis and interpretation. Consider subjects that pique your interest and allow you to delve into the deeper meanings and significance behind the central idea.

Some key factors to consider when choosing a thematic essay topic include the depth of the theme, the available evidence or research material, and the potential for original insights or new interpretations. Avoid too broad or narrow topics, as this can make it difficult to **develop a focused and coherent essay.

Expand your writing toolkit and discover effective techniques for brainstorming college essay topics in just 15 minutes by checking out our insightful article.

Sample Topics for Thematic Essays

There are countless possibilities when it comes to thematic essay topics. Some popular examples include:

• The theme of power in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
• The significance of the theme of isolation in Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights.”
• The role of gender and identity in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
• The theme of revenge and its consequences in Ódýn’s “Njál’s Saga”
• The exploration of the theme of morality in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment.”

Explore our comprehensive guide on Coming Up With Essay Topic Ideas for valuable insights and inspiration in crafting your next thematic essay.

Step 2: Thematic Essay Outline

I. Introduction    A. Hook: Unexpected statement or intriguing question to grab the reader’s attention    B. Background information on the theme and the work/event being analyzed    C. Thesis statement: Clear and concise argument about the significance of the theme

II. Theme Exploration    A. Body Paragraph 1       1. Topic sentence introducing the first main point about the theme       2. Evidence from the work/event to support the main point       3. Analysis of the evidence and how it relates to the thesis statement    B. Body Paragraph 2        1. Topic sentence introducing the second main point about the theme       2. Evidence from the work/event to support the main point       3. Analysis of the evidence and how it relates to the thesis statement    C. Body Paragraph 3       1. Topic sentence introducing the third main point about the theme       2. Evidence from the work/event to support the main point       3. Analysis of the evidence and how it relates to the thesis statement

III. Conclusion     A. Restatement of the thesis statement     B. Summary of the main points discussed in the essay     C. Reflection on the overall significance of the theme and its broader implications

Step 3: Research and Analysis

A. Conducting Thorough Research on the Chosen Theme

The foundation of a strong thematic essay lies in the research you conduct on the chosen theme. This involves gathering information from various credible sources, such as academic journals, literary critiques, historical documents, and primary sources. By immersing yourself in the relevant literature and data, you can develop a deep understanding of the theme and its broader context.

B. Taking Notes and Organizing Information

As you conduct your research, taking detailed notes and organizing the information to support your analysis is crucial. This may involve creating an outline, categorizing your findings by key themes or concepts, or using a note-taking system that helps you make connections between different sources. Effective note-taking and organization will ensure you have a solid foundation to build your thematic essay.

C. Analyzing the Key Ideas and Concepts within the Theme

Once you’ve gathered your research, it’s time to analyze the key ideas and concepts that underpin the theme. This may involve examining the literary devices used by the author, exploring the historical context of the work or event, or considering the broader societal implications of the theme. You can develop a nuanced and compelling argument in your thematic essay by critically analyzing the elements contributing to the theme’s significance.

Critical Thinking Writing Service

Unlock your potential with our Critical Thinking Writing Service - the ultimate solution for crafting compelling arguments and outsmarting the competition!

Step 4: How to Find and Explore the Central Theme

When writing a theme essay, the key is to effectively identify, explore, and analyze the central theme of a work or event. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do so:

A. Identifying the Main Subject or Idea- The first step in writing a theme essay is to identify the main subject or idea that permeates the work or event you’re examining. This may involve closely reading the text , reviewing historical accounts, or critically analyzing the key elements of the work or event. Look for recurring motifs, dominant ideas, or overarching concepts that seem to drive the narrative or progression of the subject matter.

B. Recognizing Patterns, Symbolism, and Literary Devices-

As you examine the main subject or idea, pay close attention to the literary devices, symbols, and patterns that the author or historical figures may have used to convey the central theme. These elements can provide valuable insights into the theme’s deeper meanings and significance.

C. Analyzing the Relationship Between the Theme and the Broader Context –

Once you’ve identified the central theme and recognized the various literary or historical devices used to explore it, consider how the theme relates to the broader context of the work or event. This may involve examining the historical setting, cultural influences, or societal norms that shaped the development and portrayal of the theme.

D. Considering the Implications and Significance of the Theme

Finally, I will delve into the implications and significance of the central theme. Analyze how the theme relates to universal human experiences, moral and ethical dilemmas, or societal and cultural issues. Consider how the theme challenges or reinforces prevailing beliefs, values, or perspectives.

Step 5: Creating a Thesis Statement

Developing the Thematic Statement

At the heart of any thematic essay is a strong thesis statement . This statement should set the tone for your entire essay, clearly outlining your central argument or interpretation of the theme. Your thematic statement should be concise yet specific, capturing the essence of your theme and the significance you plan to explore.

When crafting your thematic statement, consider the following:

• What is the main argument you want to make about the theme?
• How does the theme relate to the broader context or message of the work or event?
• What specific insight or interpretation do you want to offer the reader?

By addressing these questions, you can develop a thematic statement as the foundation for your analysis essay.

Ensuring a Clear and Concise Thesis 

Your thesis statement should be clear and concise, leaving no ambiguity about the central focus of your thematic essay. Avoid vague or overly broad statements, and instead, craft a thesis that directly addresses the theme and its significance.

Using the Thesis to Guide the Essay

Once you’ve crafted your thematic statement, it should serve as the guiding principle for the rest of your essay. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific point or aspect of the theme, with topic sentences that introduce the main idea and evidence that supports your thesis.

In the thematic essay conclusion, you’ll restate your thesis statement and summarize the main points you’ve made throughout the essay. This concluding section should reflect on the theme’s overall significance and broader implications.

Tips for Writing a Perfect Thematic Essay Thesis

Here are some additional tips to help you write a quality thesis statement for your thematic essay:

• Start with the essay prompt : Ensure your thesis addresses the question or theme you’ve been asked to explore.
• Be specific : Avoid vague or overly broad statements; instead, focus on a particular aspect of the theme.
• Use clear language : Craft a thesis statement that is easy to understand and leaves no room for ambiguity.
• Connect to the broader context : Demonstrate how the theme relates to the larger work, event, or societal context.
• Revise and refine : Don’t be afraid to revisit and refine your thesis as you write it.

Step 6: How to Write an Essay about Theme Analysis?

The Thematic Essay Introduction

The introductory paragraph of your thematic essay is crucial in setting the tone and capturing the reader’s attention. Begin with a hook statement – an unexpected or intriguing question that piques the reader’s interest. Then, provide the necessary background information about the particular theme and the work or event you’re examining.

Finally, present your thesis statement – the central argument guiding the essay. Your thesis statement should set the stage for the rest of your thematic paper, clearly outlining your interpretation of the theme and the significance you plan to explore.

The Thematic Essay Body Paragraphs

The main body of your thematic essay should consist of three to five paragraphs; each focused on a specific point or aspect of the theme. Use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of each paragraph, and then support those ideas with relevant examples and evidence from your research.

As you review the essay, analyze the evidence and explain how it relates to your thesis statement. This in-depth analysis is crucial in demonstrating your critical thinking skills and providing a compelling argument about the significance of the theme.

The Thematic Essay Conclusion

In the concluding paragraph of your thematic essay, restate your thesis statement and summarize the main points you’ve made throughout the essay. Offer a concluding statement reflecting the theme’s significance and broader implications or applications.

Remember, the key to a successful thematic essay is to go beyond mere Summary and delve into the deeper meanings and significance of the theme you’ve explored. Following a clear and structured approach can create a thematic essay that flows logically, presents a strong argument, and showcases your analytical abilities.

“Discover the secrets to crafting a captivating essay conclusion paragraph by exploring our comprehensive article on effective conclusion writing techniques.”

Tips for Writing a Thematic Essay

Here are some additional tips to help you write a thematic essay:

• Understand the prompt : Ensure you understand the question or theme you’re being asked to explore.
• Create a detailed outline : Develop a comprehensive outline to organize your thoughts and guide the structure of your essay.
• Use specific examples : Incorporate specific examples from the work or event you’re analyzing to support your arguments.
• Analyze, don’t summarize : Focus on analyzing the theme, exploring its significance, and connecting it to the broader context.
• Revise and edit : Carefully review your essay for clarity, coherence, and organization, and seek feedback from peers or instructors.

Step 7: Editing and Revising

Reviewing the Essay for Clarity, Coherence, and Organization

Once you’ve completed the first draft of your thematic essay, it’s time to review it for clarity, coherence, and organization. This involves reading through the essay with a critical eye , ensuring that your ideas flow logically from one paragraph to the next and that your overall argument is clear and well-supported.

Pay close attention to your essay’s structure, ensuring that your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion all work together to present a cohesive and compelling theme analysis. Evaluate whether your thesis statement effectively guides the rest of the essay and if your topic sentences and supporting evidence properly align with your central argument.

Checking for Grammar and Spelling Errors

In addition to reviewing the content and structure of your essay, it’s crucial to proofread it for grammar or spelling errors. These small mistakes can detract from the overall quality of your writing and undermine the credibility of your analysis.

Take the time to carefully read through your essay, checking for typos, incorrect word usage, and grammatical issues. You may also want to utilize online grammar-checking tools or enlist the help of a peer or instructor to identify any areas that need further editing.

Seeking Feedback from Peers or Instructors

Finally, consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors who can provide an outside perspective on your thematic essay. Their input can be invaluable in identifying any areas that need further development, clarification, or refinement.

Share your essay with trusted individuals, and ask them to provide constructive criticism on the strength of your argument, the clarity of your writing, and the overall effectiveness of your analysis. Incorporate their suggestions into your final revisions, and use this feedback to improve the quality of your thematic essay.

Essay Editing Services | Proofreading Service

Unlock the full potential of your writing with our Essay Editing Services | Proofreading Service – your key to polished, professional essays that stand out

Thematic Essay Example

Thematic Analysis of Power Dynamics in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”

Example Thematic Essay: A Thematic Analysis of Resilience in Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner”

Thematic Essay Sample on Resilience in Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Thematic Essay Introduction Example

Takeaway on how to write a good thematic essay.

In the end, we have extensively discussed how to write thematic essay. Thematic essay writing requires a deep dive into the central theme of a work or event, leveraging research, critical analysis, and a well-structured approach. You can develop a strong thesis statement that guides the entire essay by identifying the main subject, recognizing the key literary devices or historical elements that shape the theme, and exploring its broader significance. In thematic essay format, the introduction should hook the reader, provide necessary background information, and present your central argument, while the body paragraphs delve into specific points supported by evidence and analysis. Finally, the conclusion reinforces your thesis, summarizes the main ideas, and reflects on the overall importance of the theme. With practice, dedication, and a commitment to the writing process, you can master the art of the thematic essay and produce a polished, insightful piece that showcases your critical thinking skills. So, explore your chosen theme, and let your analysis shine.

Get Help With Your Thematic Essay Paper

Essay Freelance Writers is the best in the industry for providing help with thematic essay papers. Our team of experienced writers can assist you in crafting a well-written and thoroughly researched essay that effectively addresses your chosen theme. Whether you need help brainstorming ideas, outlining your paper, or polishing your final draft, our experts are here to support you every step. Please place your order today by clicking the ORDER NOW button above to get our expert writing help and take the stress out of writing your thematic essay.

Thematic Essay FAQs

What is a thematic essay structure.

A thematic essay structure typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction introduces the main theme and provides a thesis statement. The body paragraphs elaborate on the theme using examples and analysis, with each body paragraph focusing on a different aspect of the theme. Finally, the conclusion restates the thesis statement and summarizes the key points discussed in the essay.

How do you start a thematic analysis essay?

Select a theme or topic to explore to start a thematic analysis essay. Then, develop a thesis statement that presents your essay’s main theme or argument. Use examples and evidence to support your analysis throughout the essay, and ensure that your essay flows logically from start to finish.

What is an example of a theme in an essay?

An example of a theme in an essay could be love, where the author explores different aspects of love, such as romantic love, familial love, or spiritual love. The main theme of love can be analyzed through the essay’s characters’ interactions, dialogue, and relationships.

How do you start an essay theme?

To start an essay theme, begin with a strong opening sentence that introduces your essay’s main theme or topic. Use the first sentence to grab the reader’s attention and set the tone for the rest of the essay. Ensure your essay is based on a clear thesis statement reflecting the main theme you want to explore.

With a passion for helping students navigate their educational journey, I strive to create informative and relatable blog content. Whether it’s tackling exam stress, offering career guidance, or sharing effective study techniques

People Also Read

• How to Write a College Essay (College Essay Examples Included)
• How to Write a Proposal Essay (Proposal Essay Examples Included)
• 16 Easy Argumentative Essay Examples for Students

Most Popular Articles

Racism thesis statement example, how to rephrase a thesis statement, capstone project topic suggestions, how to write an abortion essay, should students wear school uniforms essay, list causal essay topics write, respect essay, signal words, great synonyms, informative speech examples, essay writing guide, introduction paragraph for an essay, argumentative essay writing, essay outline templates, write an autobiographical essay, personal narrative essay ideas, descriptive essay writing, how to write a reflective-essay, how to write a lab report abstract, how to write a grant proposal, point of view in an essay, debate topics for youth at church, theatre research paper topics, privacy overview.

• How to Write a Thematic Essay
• How to Write a Thematic Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide + Topics

• Thematic Essay Definition

Thematic Essay Topics: How to Choose

• Best Thematic Essay Topics
• Thematic Essay Outline
• Introduction
• Body Paragraphs

How to Write a Good Thematic Essay

• Thematic Essay Format

Thematic Essay Example

• Final Thoughts
• People Also Ask

1. How do you write a thesis for a thematic essay?

• 2. When do I need to write a thematic essay?

3. Which book should I write a thematic essay on?

Thematic essay definition .

The initial step in writing this type of academic paper is to have a question, "What is a thematic essay?" answered. According to the definition, it's a piece of writing based on a particular question or theme . When working on this paper, a student is supposed to reveal and develop the central theme in a specific literature work using various literary devices such as metaphor , personification, comparison, and other techniques. The thematic essay's primary purpose is to identify and disclose the main subject discussed in work. A student needs to use evidence, facts, and examples gathered from primary and secondary sources . As a professional writer, you should relate various facts. Use credible sources; otherwise, you may confuse your reader with wrong facts.

The first step requires coming up with a good thematic essay topic. If you have a theme assigned by your professor, consider yourself super lucky. But for those students who don't have any topic to write about, our top writers have prepared helpful tips and unique ideas to get you started. Keep in mind these simple guidelines:

• Focus on social issues. Commonly, a thematic essay is associated with social problems in different periods of human civilization.
• Refer to literature pieces. Use appropriate materials and references suggested by the professor to come up with an unusual topic.
• Choose a compelling theme. Understand your potential audience and define the most acceptable and strong idea which would engage an ordinary reader.
• Find the angle. Consider the issue's pros and cons, and find the turning point, which will guide you in the right way.

Still don't know what to write about in your thematic essay? Take it easy – the topic ideas listed below will come in handy. Or look through other topics such as sociology topics , etc in our database.  

Best Thematic Essay Topics 

There is a great variety of thematic essay topics that can be used to write an impressive work. Some of the most common subjects are related to history regents. Feel free to choose out of the following US history regents thematic essay topics:

• Years of the Great Depression
• Era of Progress in the United States of America
• Consequences of the Civil War
• Racism in the USA
• Slavery on the territory of Northern America
• Expansion of the US

As for the global regents thematic essay topics, you may consider the following ideas:

• Belief systems
• Global changes
• Environmental issues
• Economic affairs
• Alterations in the political life
• Cultural affairs
• Intellectual development
• Technological advancements

Now let's discuss the thematic essay structure and see what points to include as you do your assignment.

Thematic Essay Outline 

Introduction .

To write a thematic essay introduction, you'll need to include four key components:

• Intriguing beginning
• Background information on topic
• Clear explanation of your primary subject
• Thesis statement

Body Paragraphs 

Body part should follow a coherent thematic essay outline. Remember to structure your paper using these key elements:

• Topic sentence presenting your argument
• Supporting evidence (literary devices)
• Examples that prove your argument

Conclusion 

A good thematic essay conclusion should be brief, logical and effective. Typically, a concluding paragraph should resonate with the thesis statement and contain such information:

• Rephrased thesis statement
• Brief summary of main arguments
• Final thoughts for further exploration

Now that you know what key elements an excellent theme paper should include let's dig deeper into the entire writing process.

As mentioned earlier, writing a thematic essay should start with unveiling the central theme of a book or novel. Basically, the whole process is all about interpreting this main subject with the help of relevant evidence . To make it easier, we invite you to look through the guide on how to write a thematic essay that stands out.

• Highlight the central theme . After you choose a literary work, determine its central theme. Think about the main idea an author tried to convey. This step requires reading between the lines and finding all main points. Once you identify literary devices used to communicate the main message, try to recognize the work's overall significance.
• Craft a thesis statement. It is the most crucial part amongst all components of the entire paper. A thesis statement is a brief claim introducing your position on the central theme. This single sentence has more significance than other sentences – remember that you will need to prove a thesis with supporting evidence.
• Write a captivating introduction. The opening paragraph of your writing should explain the theme's significance and grab the reader's attention. Highlight the main purpose of your research and offer some information on the subject. Finally, include a previously written thesis to give your audience an idea of what claim you will be supporting.
• Work on the body paragraphs. The text's main body contains at least three paragraphs that develop research and start with the topic sentence — argument. Like in an argumentative essay , they present the evidence, some examples, and proven facts. Each body paragraph should focus on at least one literary device. Use only trustworthy informative sources to support the arguments. Conduct some analysis to verify your claim.
• Write a powerful conclusion. To conclude a thematic essay, summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. Your objective is to write a brief review of the work. As you write the closing paragraph, make sure that all questions were answered. Provide some food for thoughts and encourage the audience to do further research on the chosen subject.

Thematic Essay Format 

Once you have your thematic essay shovel-ready, make sure that the proper essay format is followed. There are three most common academic formatting styles: APA, MLA, and Chicago. Ensure that you cite all sources and compose a reference page according to specific formatting requirements . Stick to a particular style from cover to cover; otherwise, a professor may decrease your grade.

If you wonder how a complete thematic assignment looks like, do not hesitate to dive deep into the following extracts attached below. Feel free to use these samples for your reference.  

Final Thoughts 

Hopefully, this writing guide was of great help. But if you need professional academic backing, look no further! Whether you have a tight deadline or aren't sure how to write a thematic essay properly, count on expert essay help. With reliable academic assistance, you can be sure that your paper will be in line with the highest educational standards. Order an essay now and have a top-notch work delivered before the deadline is up.

People Also Ask 

A good thesis statement must contain the literary work’s title and author. Besides, you should provide background information on the central theme. As you write a thematic thesis, give a brief overview on how the author reveals this theme in the work. 

2. When do I need to write a thematic essay? 

As a college student, you will need to write a thematic essay for the US History Regents exam. It’s a mandatory requirement, so make sure that you have carefully read our guide on how to write an A+ thematic essay. 

Any book that has a theme would work. Thematic essays are composed to show the central theme of a chosen work through evidence. As clear from the definition, you can even choose a short story or poetry to discuss the main idea. However, picking a book that has a powerful theme and bunch of literary devices would be best of all.   

Expect nothing less than a tasty collection of IB extended essays and topics as you read this article.The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a globally recognized educational program established to offer studying opportunities to high-school students. Most applicants mostly choose the IB Diploma Pr...

It isn't as easy as ABC to write an argumentative essay if you don’t know how to write it. Such a paper's critical elements are a balanced evaluation of the problem, robust evidence gathered from credible sources, and a persuasive tone. Doing all the stuff can be pretty time-consuming. However, if y...

Writing a persuasive essay is one of many tasks that students need to perform while studying. You need to know how to write a persuasive essay. One of the primary purposes of such an assignment is to determine the students' writing skills and ability to convince. Other goals include the demonstratio...

• Ask LitCharts AI
• Discussion Question Generator
• Essay Prompt Generator
• Quiz Question Generator

• Literature Guides
• Poetry Guides
• Shakespeare Translations
• Literary Terms

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.

• Stream of Consciousness
• Climax (Plot)
• Round Character
• Colloquialism
• Parallelism
• Internal Rhyme
• Point of View

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

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

How To Write A Thematic Statement with Examples

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

The English language is not as straightforward as it seems. Penning a quality essay or story requires in-depth knowledge of English grammar and sentence structure rulings.

A single paragraph may contain multiple different sentence types. An argumentative essay’s introductory paragraph, for example, may have many simple sentences, a thesis statement, and a thematic statement.

Thesis statements are present within almost every essay. Thematic statements, on the other hand, are less popular because not many people know about them. Regardless, they are an essential part of English writing, and learning about these statements will help you produce better essays. Thematic statements are most commonly employed within stories, though you can also find them in some formal texts.

This article will cover everything you need to know about thematic statements – what are they, where are they used, and how they differ from thesis statements. We’ll also explore the guidelines for penning a quality thematic statement, accompanied by multiple examples.

So, without further delay, let’s dive in!

In this article:

What is a Thematic Statement?

What’s the purpose of having a theme, where to use thematic statements: popular examples, how are thematic statements different from thesis statements, theme vs. topic, how to write a thematic statement, what to avoid when writing a thematic statement, good vs. evil, power and corruption, coming of age, thematic statement examples for love, thematic statement examples for identity, thematic statement examples for fear, thematic statement examples for death, thematic statement examples for trust.

Thematic statements are unique sentences employed by writers to convey the most prominent message of their story or article. They summarize the essence of the story into a short, precise statement.

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

Every thematic statement must contain a single root keyword. This keyword is called the ‘theme’ or a ‘thematic idea.’ Unlike thematic statements, thematic ideas are not complete sentences but only words.

Thematic statements grow from thematic ideas.

Some writers prefer to pen two thematic statements instead of one. This tactic is most common within more extensive texts that discuss multiple ideas. Still, the idea is to summarize the central message that the text aims to deliver to readers. Hence, thematic statements shouldn’t be too long. An entire paragraph of writing cannot qualify as a thematic statement.

Thematic statements do not target a specific audience. Expert writers know that thematic statements lose their purpose when directed at the reader. Hence, thematic statements should never sound personal. Words like “I” and “you” have no place within thematic statements because they narrow the thematic idea’s scope. You essentially direct an idea towards a specific audience by personalizing a statement. Hence, the audience’s perception of the statement’s message becomes relevant. Unfortunately, having the audience’s perception as a point of interest weakens the statement’s impact.

Let’s go over a simple example to understand this idea better:

Suppose the proposed thematic statement is “If you love sincerely, you will find joy.”

There are many problems with this statement. Firstly, it is a personal statement directed at an audience. A quality thematic statement must be impersonal. It should address not a person or audience but rather a single idea or message.

Another thing wrong with this sentence is its use of “if.” Writing “if” immediately transforms the text into a conditional statement that’s paired with a promise. Here, the statement mentioned above promises joy to those who love sincerely.

Unfortunately, promises are often broken and are seldom guaranteed. Therefore, it’s best to avoid making promises within thematic statements. Including the word “if” and closing the statement off with a promise only serves to weaken the sentence’s impact. Plus, it lengthens the statement. Remember, thematic statements should be concise and to the point. It should seek to deliver a single message in simple words.

A better thematic statement would be, “Sincere love results in joy.” This statement is direct and discusses one idea only. It does not make promises and is not an “if” statement. It is powerful and stated as a fact or lesson, allowing the reader to successfully understand the essay’s central idea.

A theme is often used to summarize the focus or main idea that the author is trying to convey. Well-developed works of literature often have a multitude of themes that can be determined or understood at face value as well as on a much deeper level. Sometimes, the author wants you to read between the lines and form your own conclusion.

For readers, understanding the theme gives you a much more in-depth understanding of the storyline as well as added clarity. Understanding the themes of a literary piece will also inspire a greater appreciation of the literature’s deeper meanings and innuendos.

Themes allow authors to express their opinions and comment on humanistic traits or societal pressures without having to be too obvious about it.

Learning to understand themes allows the reader the opportunity to think about the plot on a much deeper level, form their own opinions and align their opinions with those of the authors. A greater understanding of themes will also inspire deeper thinking and promote self-reflection in the reader.

Determining themes requires reading between the lines, having a greater understanding of emotion and reactiveness and critical thinking to decipher the message that the author is attempting to convey.

Thematic statements are often found within the following literary works:

• Short, five-paragraph essays that are at least 500 words long
• Social science research essays, particularly on topics like sociology or psychology
• Marriage toasts, funeral speeches , and other emotionally-charged pieces of text, centered around a single theme (like love or death)
• Stories, including personal narratives and autobiographical essays
• Rhetorical analysis essays that explore a published author’s linguistic articulation. The use of thematic statements can help perfectly capture the author’s message without beating around the bush

As discussed previously, thematic statements aim to deliver a single idea through a simple yet impactful sentence. This “single idea” is the central message of a complete body of text (like a story or essay).

Thematic statements are interchangeable with thesis statements when employed within thematic essays. However, this is the exception, not the rule. In most literary works, thematic statements are different from thesis statements. Both statements may be interrelated yet express their ideas through differing sentence structures. Unlike their thematic counterparts, we structure thesis statements as arguments containing multiple points of interest.

For example, suppose you are writing an essay on climate change. Climate change is the essay’s primary theme or thematic idea. Hence, your thematic statement will stem from it. Your thesis statement will also refer to climate change. However, it may also talk about other ideas relevant to climate change. These ideas will vary depending on what stance your essay takes on the matter of climate change, of course.

Here’s what a thematic statement for an essay on climate change may look like:

“Climate change is harmful to the environment.”

A thesis statement concerning the same topic may look like this:

“Climate change is harmful to the environment because it is raising sea levels, causing global warming, and depleting Earth’s flora and fauna.” This statement is arguable, not factual. It can be debated and proven or disproven using evidence.

On the other hand, thematic statements are simple factual sentences and undebatable facts. For example, the theme for a story like Romeo and Juliet is love. The thematic statement developed from this theme could be “love comes with a high price.” By connecting the theme, or thematic idea , to a lesson, we can successfully portray a complete message to the reader. This message encapsulates the core idea running through the entire story.

A story’s theme and the topic may share common ground, but they are not the same. Themes are single words that capture the story or essay’s essence. For example, we know that Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet explores the theme of love. It also explores the theme of rivalry.

However, anyone who has read Romeo and Juliet knows that the topic is not love or rivalry. Instead, we can say the topic is “two young people belonging to rival families find love, only to suffer at its hands.” Notice how topics are complete sentences, whereas themes are standalone words.

A topic sentence may cite the story’s primary themes but goes a step further by exploring the plot, too. Topic statements are a tool to help better illustrate how a specific theme plays out within a story or essay. Hence, we see that theme and topic are not the same. However, they most certainly are interconnected.

Thematic statements come from thematic ideas. Therefore, before you start penning a thematic statement, you must first identify your essay’s central theme or main idea. You can do so by referring to your essay’s title.

Suppose your thematic idea is love. Now that you’ve got your theme down move on to uncovering the theme assertion.

“Theme assertion” refers to the text’s central message. What lesson can we learn from reading a specific literary work, and how does this lesson relate to the thematic idea?

The thematic assertion is decided by the story or essay’s original author. A reader can only spot it. We can do so by exploring the author’s thoughts. For example, within Romeo and Juliet, we see Shakespeare imply that love (theme) has unintended negative consequences (assertion).

Combining the theme and assertion can yield a complete thematic statement. But if you’d like to take things further, you can always add a ‘qualifying clause.’

Qualifying clauses are optional. You can add them after a thematic assertion to further define the thematic statement.

Let’s take the example of Romeo and Juliet again:

Love (theme) has unintended negative consequences (assertion) that cannot be denied (qualifying clause).

Notice how the qualifying clause adds to the overall thematic statement. However, if you wrote the qualifying clause on its own, it would not make any sense as a standalone sentence. Yet, when meshed with a theme and assertion, it can help create a well-rounded statement.

Here’s a quick summary of other ways to identify themes:

• Pay attention to the plot: Write down the main elements of the work like, plot, the tone of the story, language style, characters traits. Were there any conflicts? What was the most important moment of the story? What was the main character’s goal? What was the author’s resolution for the conflict? How did the story end?
• Identify the literary subject: If you had to tell someone about the book, how would you describe it to them?
• Who is the protagonist: Plainly put, who is the hero or the ‘good guy’? How did the character develop and grow throughout the plot? What was the character’s effect on all the other people around him? How did he/she impact the other characters? How does this character relate to the others?

Assess the author’s point of view: What was the author’s view on the characters and how they made choices? What message could the author be trying to send us? This message is the theme. Find clues in quotes from the main characters, language use, the final resolution of the main conflict.

Thematic statements aren’t overly complicated. However, being human, there is always room for error.

Keep an eye out for the following mistakes when penning thematic statements:

• Remember to mention the story or essay’s central theme within the thematic statement.
• Avoid summarizing the literary work – that’s what topic sentences are for!
• Stay away from absolute terms like “always.”
• Overgeneralization is unnecessary and distracts from the main idea.
• Do not say, “this story’s theme is….” Instead, weave the thematic idea’s keyword (“love”) into the thematic statement.
• Avoid metaphors, complicated idioms, and flowery language.
• Don’t beat about the bush.
• Stay away from cliché statements and trendy slogans or chants.
• Qualifying clauses are not compulsory. Only use them if you feel they’ll improve your writing without complicating it.

You can successfully pen a striking thematic statement by avoiding these common writing mistakes.

Examples of Themes

There are many great literary theme examples of love that have developed through the ages, one of the most famous ones being, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet of course. Theme: A tragic tale of forbidden love with terrible consequences.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is yet another classic example that explores the type of love that grows slowly where there was once dislike and misunderstanding.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte explores love in a completely different light, highlighting the way its intensity and power disrupt and even destroy lives.

The book thief by Marcus Zusak is narrated by death itself, exploring his role in taking lives in setting Germany in World War 2.

The Fault in Our Stars features teenagers who come to terms with the grave reality of death while coming to terms with their terminal illness.

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien displays the battle of good versus evil quite clearly in its tale of hobbits, elves and men teaming up to defeat the power hungry Sauron and his armies of dark creatures.

The Stand by Stephen King features the light versus dark dichotomy. Staging a battle between good and evil through the characters of Mother Abigail and Randall Flagg.

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is the tragic tale of a character seeking power for his own sake, and dealing with the consequences of his own self minded ambition.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is another iconic classic exploration of power and corruption, an allegorical story about a group of animals who rise up against their human masters with increasingly sinister results.

Lord of the flies by William Golding focuses on a group of young boys stuck on a deserted island, chronicling their attempts to survive and govern themselves.

Room by Emma Donoghue tells a different story of survival as that of a woman who has been held captive for seven years and her five-year-old son who doesn’t know a normal life outside of the room that they are held captive in.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger follows a sixteen-year-old boy dealing with teenage angst and rebellion in the 1950s.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is the story of a teenager named Charlie navigating all the challenges that come with the time between adolescence and adulthood.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is noted as one of the most famous explorations of prejudice and racism. A white lawyer Atticus Finch is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of rape. 

Frankenstein by Mary Shelly explores prejudice and fear of the unknown throughout the story of Dr. Frankenstein and the ‘monster’ he created.

Examples of Thematic Statements

Now that we’ve gone over the guidelines associated with writing a thematic statement, let’s explore some theme sentence examples:

• Love can heighten our sense of courage.
• Loving ourselves can heal our emotional scars, even if it takes time.
• Love is more powerful than infatuation.
• Accepting our true selves can help us lead happier lives.
• Our identity is crafted from personal experiences.
• Believing in ourselves can help us achieve the impossible.
• Fear is a state of mind.
• We can overcome fear through strong faith.
• Fear is an inevitable emotion.
• All humans experience fear.
• We should embrace death as an inevitable fact of life.
• Nobody can evade death.
• Seeing their loved ones die makes people sad.
• Healthy relationships are built on trust.
• To achieve success, we must trust our gut instinct.
• Not everyone deserves to be trusted.
• We should choose who to trust with care.

Pay attention to how each statement covers only a single idea relating to one theme. This is a trademark rule with thematic statements. It helps them remain simple, unwinding, and direct.

Learning about thematic statements is an essential part of every writer’s journey. Storybook authors, in particular, should be well-aware of thematic statements and their undeniable importance.

A quality thematic statement can make your story much easier to understand. That’s because a thematic statement stems from the story’s central or thematic idea and captures the story’s true essence. Hence, thematic statements are incomplete without discussing the literary work’s primary theme.

Thematic statements should not be confused with thesis statements. Both are important in their own right, yet neither one can replace the other. Thematic statements are factual, whereas thesis statements explore arguments that can be disproven with relevant evidence.

Thesis statements seldom exist within stories. Instead, they are a characteristic of formal essays, particularly argumentative ones. However, to truly understand the essence of a story , one must first learn to understand the nature of thematic statements.

A story or essay’s theme is also strikingly different from its topic. Thematic ideas (themes) are typically single words. On the other hand, topics are illustrated through multiple words. As a result, we often see topic sentences and single-worded themes.

The best thematic statements reference a single theme. After identifying the story’s theme, these statements build upon a lesson or message relating to said theme. This thematic idea keyword (for example, love or death) must appear within the thematic statement.

Thematic statements must also contain a thematic assertion. A thematic assertion is essentially an explanation, lesson, or central message the story conveys.

A single thematic idea and assertion are enough to create a complete thematic statement. However, some people prefer adding an optional qualifying clause, too. After adding the clause, you’re left with a comprehensive, well-rounded thematic statement.

The Four Types of Microphones Explained

How to Write a 500-Word Essay – Guide & Examples

Leave a Comment

I accept the Privacy Policy

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities

Vivamus integer non suscipit taciti mus etiam at primis tempor sagittis euismod libero facilisi.

© 2024 My Speech Class

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base

Methodology

• How to Do Thematic Analysis | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

How to Do Thematic Analysis | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

Published on September 6, 2019 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on June 22, 2023.

Thematic analysis is a method of analyzing qualitative data . It is usually applied to a set of texts, such as an interview or transcripts . The researcher closely examines the data to identify common themes – topics, ideas and patterns of meaning that come up repeatedly.

There are various approaches to conducting thematic analysis, but the most common form follows a six-step process: familiarization, coding, generating themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and writing up. Following this process can also help you avoid confirmation bias when formulating your analysis.

This process was originally developed for psychology research by Virginia Braun and Victoria Clarke . However, thematic analysis is a flexible method that can be adapted to many different kinds of research.

Table of contents

When to use thematic analysis, different approaches to thematic analysis, step 1: familiarization, step 2: coding, step 3: generating themes, step 4: reviewing themes, step 5: defining and naming themes, step 6: writing up, other interesting articles.

Thematic analysis is a good approach to research where you’re trying to find out something about people’s views, opinions, knowledge, experiences or values from a set of qualitative data – for example, interview transcripts , social media profiles, or survey responses .

Some types of research questions you might use thematic analysis to answer:

• How do patients perceive doctors in a hospital setting?
• What are young women’s experiences on dating sites?
• What are non-experts’ ideas and opinions about climate change?
• How is gender constructed in high school history teaching?

To answer any of these questions, you would collect data from a group of relevant participants and then analyze it. Thematic analysis allows you a lot of flexibility in interpreting the data, and allows you to approach large data sets more easily by sorting them into broad themes.

However, it also involves the risk of missing nuances in the data. Thematic analysis is often quite subjective and relies on the researcher’s judgement, so you have to reflect carefully on your own choices and interpretations.

Pay close attention to the data to ensure that you’re not picking up on things that are not there – or obscuring things that are.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Once you’ve decided to use thematic analysis, there are different approaches to consider.

There’s the distinction between inductive and deductive approaches:

• An inductive approach involves allowing the data to determine your themes.
• A deductive approach involves coming to the data with some preconceived themes you expect to find reflected there, based on theory or existing knowledge.

Ask yourself: Does my theoretical framework give me a strong idea of what kind of themes I expect to find in the data (deductive), or am I planning to develop my own framework based on what I find (inductive)?

There’s also the distinction between a semantic and a latent approach:

• A semantic approach involves analyzing the explicit content of the data.
• A latent approach involves reading into the subtext and assumptions underlying the data.

Ask yourself: Am I interested in people’s stated opinions (semantic) or in what their statements reveal about their assumptions and social context (latent)?

After you’ve decided thematic analysis is the right method for analyzing your data, and you’ve thought about the approach you’re going to take, you can follow the six steps developed by Braun and Clarke .

The first step is to get to know our data. It’s important to get a thorough overview of all the data we collected before we start analyzing individual items.

This might involve transcribing audio , reading through the text and taking initial notes, and generally looking through the data to get familiar with it.

Next up, we need to code the data. Coding means highlighting sections of our text – usually phrases or sentences – and coming up with shorthand labels or “codes” to describe their content.

Let’s take a short example text. Say we’re researching perceptions of climate change among conservative voters aged 50 and up, and we have collected data through a series of interviews. An extract from one interview looks like this:

In this extract, we’ve highlighted various phrases in different colors corresponding to different codes. Each code describes the idea or feeling expressed in that part of the text.

At this stage, we want to be thorough: we go through the transcript of every interview and highlight everything that jumps out as relevant or potentially interesting. As well as highlighting all the phrases and sentences that match these codes, we can keep adding new codes as we go through the text.

After we’ve been through the text, we collate together all the data into groups identified by code. These codes allow us to gain a a condensed overview of the main points and common meanings that recur throughout the data.

Next, we look over the codes we’ve created, identify patterns among them, and start coming up with themes.

Themes are generally broader than codes. Most of the time, you’ll combine several codes into a single theme. In our example, we might start combining codes into themes like this:

At this stage, we might decide that some of our codes are too vague or not relevant enough (for example, because they don’t appear very often in the data), so they can be discarded.

Other codes might become themes in their own right. In our example, we decided that the code “uncertainty” made sense as a theme, with some other codes incorporated into it.

Again, what we decide will vary according to what we’re trying to find out. We want to create potential themes that tell us something helpful about the data for our purposes.

Now we have to make sure that our themes are useful and accurate representations of the data. Here, we return to the data set and compare our themes against it. Are we missing anything? Are these themes really present in the data? What can we change to make our themes work better?

If we encounter problems with our themes, we might split them up, combine them, discard them or create new ones: whatever makes them more useful and accurate.

For example, we might decide upon looking through the data that “changing terminology” fits better under the “uncertainty” theme than under “distrust of experts,” since the data labelled with this code involves confusion, not necessarily distrust.

Now that you have a final list of themes, it’s time to name and define each of them.

Defining themes involves formulating exactly what we mean by each theme and figuring out how it helps us understand the data.

Naming themes involves coming up with a succinct and easily understandable name for each theme.

For example, we might look at “distrust of experts” and determine exactly who we mean by “experts” in this theme. We might decide that a better name for the theme is “distrust of authority” or “conspiracy thinking”.

Finally, we’ll write up our analysis of the data. Like all academic texts, writing up a thematic analysis requires an introduction to establish our research question, aims and approach.

We should also include a methodology section, describing how we collected the data (e.g. through semi-structured interviews or open-ended survey questions ) and explaining how we conducted the thematic analysis itself.

The results or findings section usually addresses each theme in turn. We describe how often the themes come up and what they mean, including examples from the data as evidence. Finally, our conclusion explains the main takeaways and shows how the analysis has answered our research question.

In our example, we might argue that conspiracy thinking about climate change is widespread among older conservative voters, point out the uncertainty with which many voters view the issue, and discuss the role of misinformation in respondents’ perceptions.

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Normal distribution
• Measures of central tendency
• Chi square tests
• Confidence interval
• Quartiles & Quantiles
• Cluster sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Discourse analysis
• Cohort study
• Peer review
• Ethnography

Research bias

• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Conformity bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Availability heuristic
• Attrition bias
• Social desirability bias

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, June 22). How to Do Thematic Analysis | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 28, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/thematic-analysis/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, what is qualitative research | methods & examples, inductive vs. deductive research approach | steps & examples, critical discourse analysis | definition, guide & examples, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

It's Lit Teaching

High School English and TPT Seller Resources

• Creative Writing
• Teachers Pay Teachers Tips
• Shop My Teaching Resources!
• Sell on TPT

How to Teach Literary Theme to High Schoolers

Although theme is a basic literary term, many high schoolers still struggle with it. Worse, so many students (and teachers!) get confused by thematic ideas versus thematic statements. Follow these steps for how to teach literary theme to high schoolers clearly!

(Want to skip the prep work? Grab my done-for-you Theme Lesson right here. You’ll get a lesson plan, slideshow, handout, exit tickets, and graphic organizer!)

Teach Literary Theme to High Schoolers Step #1: Assess Where Students Are Already

Like all good lessons, you should start with a pre-assessment. This does NOT need to be a long essay or rigorous test. 

A simple “Who here has heard of theme?” or “What is theme?” is enough.

Start a simple conversation with your students and just ask them where they’re at. By the time your students get to you, most will have probably at least heard of theme. But even high schoolers often can’t analyze it in a text. 

Start your lesson by activating their background knowledge and build from there. 

Are You a New English Teacher?

Sign up for The LIT Teacher Series –7 days of emails designed to help you prepare for your first year of teaching! Every day you’ll receive tips, freebies, and advice for starting your career out strong!

Opt in to receive news and updates.

Now, go check your inbox and start planning the best year  ever !

Teach Literary Theme to High Schoolers Step #2: Give an Overview of Theme

Whether your entire class has heard of literary theme or the concept is completely new, you’ll want to start with a quick overview. 

If you have students track literary terms, you could have them copy down the definition. Maybe you add “literary theme” to a word wall in your room. 

But begin by giving them a definition and a broad overview.

Teach Literary Theme to High Schoolers Step #3: Teach the Difference Between Thematic Ideas and Thematic Statements

Once students have a general idea of what “theme” is in literature, continue breaking it down. 

Most students will probably be familiar with thematic ideas. This is what I think most people think of when they try to brainstorm “literary themes.” 

Keep your lesson loose and talk to your students. Can they think of any examples from popular movies or stories? What might a thematic idea be in Star Wars or The Hunger Games ?

Thematic ideas will probably be easier for your students to both understand and determine. Students have to understand thematic ideas though before they can move on to thematic statements. 

It’s good to show thematic ideas and statements side-by-side. For example, the thematic idea of “love” can have an infinite number of statements. A text might show that “love is the greatest gift of all” or that “true love doesn’t exist.”

Let them know that theme is one of those annoying concepts in English class that won’t have “one right answer.” A book will have many “correct” thematic ideas and statements. 

Teach Literary Theme to High Schoolers Step #4: Demonstrate How to Write a Thematic Statement

Once you’ve thoroughly explained the differences between thematic ideas and thematic statements, be sure to give students tips on crafting a thematic statement. 

For example, students should know that a thematic statement should be for the general population–not only applicable to a single, fictional character. 

You might also want to have students avoid using cliches as their thematic statements but instead, word their statements more originally. 

Teach Literary Theme to High Schoolers Step #5: Provide Plenty of Examples

As you progress through your lesson, you will of course want to provide plenty of examples. 

Give examples of thematic ideas and statements. Challenge students to identify thematic ideas for their favorite movies, songs, or books. If you’re reading a class novel, give or ask students to think up examples from the book. 

You can never give too many examples. Asking students to brainstorm their own will give them an opportunity for immediate feedback, too. 

You might even want to provide bad examples, so students can see what NOT to do.

Plus, who doesn’t love discussing their favorite films? Talking about themes can be a great, relaxed lesson that allows relationship-building to occur at the same time as learning.

Teach Literary Theme to High Schoolers Step #6: Check In With Students’ Learning

As with all good lessons, find ways to assess as you go.

Discussing examples and talking about themes in students’ favorite works is a great way to assess informally. This might be all you need!

You could also use exit tickets after your lesson to see if students understood the basic concepts. I include two possible exit tickets in my Theme Lesson .

You don’t want to wait until students have to write a thematic essay to find out that students still don’t understand what a thematic statement is. Instead, be sure to check in with them consistently through your lesson or unit.

Teach Literary Theme to High Schoolers Step #7: Let Students Practice With a Short Text

Once you feel like students have a grasp on the concept of literary theme, it’s time for them to practice. 

Y ou can do this with any text, but I think songs work especially well. They’re a break from the usual classroom novels, drama, or poems. Plus, many will have music videos that add some multimedia to your lesson. 

Choose a short text with a very clear message. There are tons of songs out there that try to make a point or express a single idea. Since these only have one thematic idea to analyze, they’re the perfect “training wheels” for those new to analyzing theme. 

For example, Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” has a very clear theme/message for students to unpack. You can also choose something trendier, like a new Taylor Swift release or whatever is hitting the Top 20 chart that week.

Practicing Analysis

Once students have a copy of the text they are to analyze, challenge them to identify a thematic idea. This can be done as a class or individually. You may want to double-check that students identified a correct thematic idea before letting them move on. 

After finding an idea, students should search for related passages. They can try to connect each one to the thematic idea or wait until they have several passages to begin their analysis.

For example, maybe students hone in on “dreams” as a thematic idea. 

Next, students should identify lines, situations, characters, or symbols that relate to “dreams.”

From there, they would look at how each of these pieces of evidence is treated by the author. Are characters rewarded or punished for pursuing their dreams? Which characters are able to accomplish their dreams? Are dreams spoken of positively or negatively?

Then, students can try to craft a thematic statement. This will be the most difficult part for students. You may want to walk around offering assistance or just being a sounding board for student ideas. 

It might be helpful to make sure all students are analyzing the same text the first time you have them analyze theme. Classroom conversations or discussions between peers will be easier. However, if you have more advanced students, you could let them choose their song or text to analyze instead. 

A graphic organizer can help students track their thinking. My Literary Theme Lesson includes one that can be used with any text.

Teach Literary Theme to High Schoolers Step #8: Move on to More Difficult Analysis Activities

Once students have successfully analyzed thematic ideas and statements for a short text, they can move on to more difficult texts. 

Analyzing a song with a singular message is great practice. But analyzing a novel with several complex themes and hundreds of pages will be harder. 

You can scaffold between the two steps by providing students with the thematic ideas. This way, they will know what to look for as they read. 

(I do this when I teach The Hate U Give and have students close read for themes. You can read more about my process for having students annotate themes in this blog post .)

Students can also use their new skills to write a full thematic analysis essay. You can check out my Born a Crime Thematic Essay assignment as an example.

Analyzing theme also makes for great classroom discussions, however. (I have a thematic discussion assignment for The Hate U Give , Dear Martin , and All American Boys .) 

Gradually release responsibility to students . You can increase the difficulty in analyzing theme by giving students longer works to read. Another way to scale up the difficulty would be to give students older (and thus, more difficult to read) texts to analyze. 

You could even have students write their own story that clearly conveys a theme! Having students write a children’s book would be a perfect way for them to do this. 

Analyzing literary theme is an essential skill for students to master in Language Arts. There is often debate about whether to teach theme as one word or a statement. My answer is to do both. 

Teach students about both thematic ideas and thematic statements. Provide examples. Give them the space and opportunity to explore these ideas in several texts. 

Before you know it, they’ll be telling you the themes in movies they watch and books they read at home!

Need to teach literary theme to your high schoolers, but want to skip the prep? Grab my complete Literary Theme Lesson right here!

• Open access
• Published: 26 August 2024

Paramedics’ experiences and observations: work-related emotions and well-being resources during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic—a qualitative study

• Henna Myrskykari 1 , 2 &
• Hilla Nordquist 3  

BMC Emergency Medicine volume  24 , Article number:  152 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

91 Accesses

1 Altmetric

Metrics details

As first responders, paramedics are an extremely important part of the care chain. COVID-19 significantly impacted their working circumstances. We examined, according to the experiences and observations of paramedics, (1) what kinds of emotions the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel experienced in their new working circumstances, and (2) what work-related factors became resources for the well-being of EMS personnel during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This qualitative study utilized reflective essay material written by experienced, advanced-level Finnish paramedics ( n  = 30). The essays used in this study were written during the fall of 2020 and reflected the period when Finland had declared a state of emergency (on 17.3.2020) and the Emergency Powers Act was implemented. The data was analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis.

The emotions experienced by the EMS personnel in their new working circumstances formed three themes: (1) New concerns arose that were constantly present; (2) Surviving without proper guidance; and (3) Rapidly approaching breaking point. Three themes were formed from work-related factors that were identified as resources for the well-being of the EMS personnel. These were: (1) A high level of organizational efficiency was achieved; (2) Adaptable EMS operations; and (3) Encouraging atmosphere.

Conclusions

Crisis management practices should be more attentive to personnel needs, ensuring that managerial and psychological support is readily available in crisis situations. Preparedness that ensures effective organizational adaptation also supports personnel well-being during sudden changes in working circumstances.

Peer Review reports

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare personnel across the globe faced unprecedented challenges. As initial responders in emergency healthcare, paramedics were quickly placed at the front lines of the pandemic, dealing with a range of emergencies in unpredictable conditions [ 1 ]. The pandemic greatly changed the everyday nature of work [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Those working on the front line were suddenly forced to adjust to personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements [ 9 , 10 ] and rapidly changing instructions that caused significant adjustments to their job description [ 11 , 12 ]. For instance, it has been reported that during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, including paramedics working in prehospital emergency care, experienced a significant increase in stress [ 10 , 13 ] due to several reasons, such as the lack of protection and support, increased demands, lack of personnel, fear of exposure to COVID-19 during missions, concerns of spreading the virus to family members, and frustration over quickly changing work policies [ 11 , 14 , 15 ].

With the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, some research has been directed toward identifying available resources that help in coping with such situations. For example, Sangal et al. [ 15 ] underscored the association between effective communication and reduced work stress and burnout, and emphasized the critical need for two-way communication, consistent messaging, and the strategic consolidation of information prior to its dissemination. In parallel, Dickson et al. [ 16 ] highlight the pivotal role of leadership strategies in fostering a healthful work environment. These strategies include being relationally engaging, visibly present, open, and caring for oneself and others, while embodying core values such as compassion, empathy, courage, and authenticity. Moreover, Awais et al. [ 14 ] identify essential measures to reduce mental distress and support EMS personnel’s overall well-being in pandemic conditions, such as by providing accessible mental health and peer support, ensuring a transparent information flow, and the implementation of clear, best-practice protocols and guidelines. As a lesson learned from COVID-19, Kihlström et al. (2022) add that crisis communication, flexible working conditions, compensation, and allowing for mistakes should be part of crisis management. They also emphasize the importance of psychological support for employees. [ 12 ]

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic had a multifaceted impact on EMS personnel, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive support and resilience strategies to safeguard their well-being [ 11 , 17 , 18 ] alongside organizational functions [ 12 , 19 ]. For example, in Finland, it has been noted in the aftermath of COVID-19 that the availability and well-being of healthcare workers are key vulnerabilities of the resilience of the Finnish health system [ 12 ]. Effective preparedness planning and organizational resilience benefit from learning from past events and gaining a deeper understanding of observations across different organizational levels [ 12 , 19 , 20 ]. For these reasons, it is important to study how the personnel experienced the changing working circumstances and to recognize the resources, even unexpected ones, that supported their well-being during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 12 , 19 ].

The aim of this study was to examine the emotions experienced and the resources identified as supportive of work well-being during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, from the perspective of the paramedics. Our research questions were: According to the experiences and observations of paramedics, (1) what kinds of emotions did the EMS personnel experience in the new working circumstances, and (2) what work-related factors became resources for the well-being of EMS personnel during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic? In this study, emotions are understood as complex responses involving psychological, physiological, and behavioral components, triggered by significant events or situations [ 21 ]. Resources are understood as physical, psychological, social, or organizational aspects of the work that help achieve work goals, reduce demands and associated costs [ 22 ].

Materials and methods

This qualitative study utilized reflective essay material written in the fall of 2020 by experienced, advanced-level paramedics who worked in the Finnish EMS during the early phase of the pandemic, when Finland had declared (March 17, 2020 onward) a state of emergency and implemented the Emergency Powers Act. This allowed for new rules and guidelines from the government to ensure the security of healthcare resources. Some work rules for healthcare personnel changed, and non-urgent services were limited.

Data collection procedures

This study is part of a broader, non-project-based research initiative investigating the work well-being of paramedics from various perspectives, and the data was collected for research purposes from this standpoint. The data collection for this study was conducted at the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences as part of the Current Issues in EMS Management course. The course participants were experienced, advanced-level Finnish paramedics who were students of the master’s degree program in Development and Management of Emergency Medical Services. A similar data collection method has been utilized in other qualitative studies [for example, 23 , 24 ].

The South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences granted research permission for the data collection on August 20, 2020. The learning platform “Learn” (an adapted version of Moodle [ 25 ]) was used to gather the data. A research notice, privacy statement, and essay writing instructions were published on the platform on August 21, 2020. The paramedics were asked to write about their own experiences and observations regarding how the state of emergency impacted the work well-being of EMS personnel. They were instructed not to use references but only their own reflections. Three guiding questions were asked: “What kind of workloads did EMS personnel experience during the state of emergency?” “How has this workload differed from normal conditions?” and “What effects did this workload have on the well-being of the EMS personnel?”. The assignment did not refer solely to paramedics because the EMS field community may also include individuals with other titles (such as EMS field supervisors or firefighters performing prehospital emergency care); hence the term “EMS personnel” was used.

The essay was part of the mandatory course assignments, but submitting it for research purposes was voluntary. The paramedics were informed that their participation in the study would not affect their course evaluations. They had the freedom to decline, remove parts of, or withdraw the essay before analysis. None of the paramedics exercised these options. They were also informed that the last author removes any identifying details (such as names, places, and organizational descriptions that could reveal their workplace) before sharing the data with other, at the time unnamed, researchers. The last author (female) is a senior researcher specializing in EMS and work well-being topics, a principal lecturer of the respective course, and the head of the respective master’s program, and familiar to all of them through their studies. The paramedics were aware that the essays were graded by the last author on a pass/fail scale as part of the course assessment. However, comprehensive and well-reasoned reflections positively influenced the course grade. The evaluation was not part of this study. The paramedics had the opportunity to ask further questions about the study directly from the last author during and after the essay writing process and the course.

The paramedics wrote the essays between August 23, 2020, and November 30, 2020. Thirty-two paramedics (out of 39) returned their essays using the Learn platform during this timeframe. Thus, seven of the course completions were delayed, and the essays written later were no longer appropriate to include in the data due to the time elapsed since the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All 32 gave their informed consent for their essays to be included in the study. Essays written by paramedics who had not actively participated in EMS field work during exceptional circumstances were excluded from the material ( n  = 2), because they wrote the essay from a different perspective, as they could not reflect on their own experiences and observations. Thus, a total of 30 essays were included in the study. The total material was 106 pages long and comprised 32,621 words in Finnish.

Study participants

Thirty advanced-level paramedics from Finland participated in this study. They all had a bachelor’s degree in emergency care or nursing with additional emergency care specialization. At the time of the study, they were pursuing their master’s studies. Thirteen of them were women, and seventeen were men. The average age of the participants was 33.5 years among women and 35.9 years among men. Women had an average of 8.7 years of work experience, and men had 8.8 years. All the participating paramedics worked in EMS in different areas across Finland (except northern Finland) during their studies and the early phase of the pandemic.

Data analysis

The data was analyzed with a thematic analysis following the process detailed by Braun & Clarke [ 26 ]. First, the two researchers thoroughly familiarized themselves with the data, and the refined aim and research questions of the study were formulated inductively in collaboration based on the content of the data (see [ 26 ], page 84). After this, a thorough coding process was mainly carried out by the first author (female), who holds a master’s degree, is an advanced-level paramedic who worked in EMS during the pandemic, and at the time of the analysis was pursuing her doctoral studies in a different subject area related to EMS. Generating the initial codes involved making notes of interesting features of anything that stood out or seemed relevant to the research question systematically across the entire dataset. During this process, the original paragraphs and sentences were copied from the essay material into a table in Microsoft Word, with each research question in separate documents and each paragraph or sentence in its own row. The content of these data extracts was then coded in the adjacent column, carefully preserving the original content but in a more concise form. Then, the content was analyzed, and codes were combined to identify themes. After that, the authors reviewed the themes together by moving back and forth between the original material, the data in the Word documents, and the potential themes. During this process, the authors worked closely and refined the themes, allowing them to be separated and combined into new themes. For example, emotions depicting frustration and a shift to indifference formed their own theme in this kind of process. Finally, the themes were defined into main, major and minor themes and named. In the results, the main themes form the core in response to the research questions and include the most descriptions from the data. The major themes are significant but not as central as the main themes. Major themes provide additional depth and context to the results. One minor theme was formed as the analysis process progressed, and it provided valuable insights and details that deepened the response to the research question. All the coded data was utilized in the formed themes. The full content of the themes is reported in the Results section.

The emotions experienced by the EMS personnel in their new working circumstances formed three themes: New concerns arose that were constantly present (main theme); Surviving without proper guidance (major theme); and Rapidly approaching breaking point (major theme) (Fig.  1 ). Work-related factors identified as resources for the well-being of EMS personnel formed three themes: A high level of organizational efficiency was achieved (main theme); Adaptable EMS operations (major theme); and Encouraging atmosphere (minor theme) (Fig.  2 ).

Emotions experienced by the EMS personnel in their new working circumstances

Main theme: New concerns arose that were constantly present

The main theme included several kinds of new concerns. In the beginning, the uncertainty about the virus raised concerns about work safety and the means to prevent the spread of the disease. The initial lack of training and routines led to uncertainty. In addition, the decrease in the number of EMS missions raised fears of units being reduced and unilateral decisions by the management to change the EMS personnel’s work responsibilities. The future was also a source of uncertainty in the early stages. For example, the transition to exceptional circumstances, concerns about management and the supervisors’ familiarity with national guidelines and lack of information related to sickness absence procedures, leave, personal career progression, and even the progress of vaccine development, all contributed to this feeling of uncertainty. The initial uncertainty was described as the most challenging phase, but the uncertainty was also described as long-lasting.

Being on the front line with an unknown, potentially dangerous, and easily transmissible virus caused daily concerns about the personnel’s own health, especially when some patients hid their symptoms. The thought of working without proper PPE was frightening. On the other hand, waiting for a patient’s test result was stressful, as it often resulted in many colleagues being quarantined. A constant concern for the health of loved ones and the fear of contracting the virus and unknowingly bringing it home or transmitting it to colleagues led the EMS personnel to change their behavior by limiting contact.

Being part of a high-risk group , I often wondered , in the case of coronavirus , who would protect me and other paramedics from human vanity and selfishness [of those refusing to follow the public health guidelines]? (Participant 25)

The EMS personnel felt a weight of responsibility to act correctly, especially from the perspective of keeping their skills up to date. The proper selection of PPE and aseptic procedures were significant sources of concern, as making mistakes was feared to lead to quarantine and increase their colleagues’ workloads. At the same time, concerns about the adequacy of PPE weighed on the personnel, and they felt pressure on this matter to avoid wastage of PPEs. The variability in the quality of PPE also caused concerns.

Concerns about acting correctly were also tied to ethical considerations and feelings of inadequacy when the personnel were unable to explain to patients why COVID-19 caused restrictions on healthcare services. The presence of students also provoked such ethical concerns. Recognizing patients’ symptoms correctly also felt distressing due to the immense responsibility. This concern was also closely tied to fear and even made some question their career choices. The EMS personnel were also worried about adequate treatment for the patients and sometimes felt that the patients were left alone at home to cope. A reduction in patient numbers in the early stages of the pandemic raised concerns about whether acutely ill individuals were seeking help. At the same time, the time taken to put on PPE stressed the personnel because it increased delays in providing care. In the early phase of the pandemic, the EMS personnel were stressed that patients were not protected from them.

I’m vexed in the workplace. I felt it was immediately necessary to protect patients from us paramedics as well. It wasn’t specifically called for , mostly it felt like everyone had a strong need to protect themselves. (Participant 30)

All these concerns caused a particularly heavy psychological burden on some personnel. They described feeling more fatigued and irritable than usual. They had to familiarize themselves with new guidelines even during their free time, which was exhausting. The situation felt unjust, and there was a looming fear of the entire healthcare system collapsing. COVID-19 was omnipresent. Even at the base station of the EMS services, movement was restricted and social distancing was mandated. Such segregation, even within the professional community, added to the strain and reduced opportunities for peer support. The EMS personnel felt isolated, and thoughts about changing professions increased.

It was inevitable that the segregation of the work community would affect the community spirit , and a less able work community has a significant impact on the individual level. (Participant 8)

Major theme: Surviving without proper guidance

At the onset of the pandemic, the job description of the EMS personnel underwent changes, and employers could suddenly relocate them to other work. There was not always adequate support for familiarizing oneself with the new roles, leading to a feeling of loss of control. The management was described as commanding and restricting the personnel’s actions. As opportunities to influence one’s work diminished, the sense of job satisfaction and motivation decreased.

Some felt that leadership was inadequate and neglectful, especially when the leaders switched to remote work. The management did not take the situation seriously enough, leaving the EMS personnel feeling abandoned. The lack of consistent leadership and failure to listen to the personnel caused dissatisfaction and reduced occupational endurance. In addition, the reduced contact with colleagues and close ones reduced the amount of peer support. The existing models for psychological support were found to be inadequate.

Particularly in the early stages, guidelines were seen as ambiguous and deficient, causing frustration, irritation, and fear. The guidelines also changed constantly, even daily, and it was felt that the information did not flow properly from the management to the personnel. Changes in protection recommendations also led to skepticism about the correctness of the national guidance, and the lack of consistent guidelines perplexed the personnel. Internalizing the guidelines was not supported adequately, but the necessity to grasp new information was described as immense and cognitively demanding.

At times , it felt like the work was a kind of survival in a jungle of changing instructions , one mission at a time. (Participant 11)

Major theme: Rapidly approaching breaking point

Risking one’s own health at work caused contentious feelings while concurrently feeling angry that management could work remotely. The arrogant behavior of people toward COVID-19 left them frustrated, while the EMS personnel had to limit their contacts and lost their annual leave. There were fears about forced labor.

Incomplete and constantly changing guidelines caused irritation and indifference, as the same tasks had to be performed with different levels of PPE within a short time. Some guidelines were difficult to comply with in practice, which was vexing.

Using a protective mask was described as distressing, especially on long and demanding missions. Communication and operation became more difficult. Some described frustration with cleaning PPE meant for single use.

Ensuring the proper implementation of a work pair’s aseptic and equipment maintenance was burdensome, and explaining and repeating guidelines was exhausting. A feeling of indifference was emphasized toward the end of a long shift.

After the initial stage, many began to slip with the PPE guidelines and found the instructions excessive. COVID-19 information transmitted by the emergency center lost its meaning, and instructions were left unheeded, as there was no energy to believe that the patient would have COVID-19, especially if only a few disease cases had been reported in their area.

It was disheartening to hear personnel being labeled as selfish for demanding higher pay during exceptional circumstances. This lack of recognition eroded professionalism and increased thoughts of changing professions.

However , being a doormat and a human toilet , as well as a lack of appreciation , undermines my professionalism and the prolonged situation has led me to seriously consider a different job , where values other than dedication and constant flexibility carry weight. I have heard similar thoughts from other colleagues. None of us do this for money. (Participant 9)

Work-related factors identified as resources for the well-being of EMS personnel

Main theme: A high level of organizational efficiency was achieved

The main theme held several different efficient functions. In the early stages of the pandemic, some felt that the information flow was active. Organizations informed the EMS personnel about the disease, its spread, and its impact on the workplace and emergency care activities.

Some felt that managers were easily accessible during the pandemic, at least remotely. Some managers worked long days to be able to support their personnel.

The response to hate and uncertainty was that one of the supervisors was always present in the morning and evening meetings. Supervisors worked long hours so as to be accessible via remote access. (Participant 26)

The organizations took effective steps to control infections. Quick access to COVID-19 tests, clear guidelines for taking sick leave, and permission to take sick leave with a low threshold were seen as positive things. The consideration of personnel belonging to risk groups by moving them to other work tasks was also perceived as positive. In addition, efforts were made to prevent the emergence of infection chains by isolating EMS personnel in their own social facilities.

Established guidelines, especially on the correct use of protective measures, made it easier to work. Some mentioned that the guidelines were available in ambulances and on phones, allowing the protection guidelines to be checked before going on a mission.

The employers took into account the need for psychological support in a diverse manner. Some organizations provided psychological support such as peer debriefing activities, talking therapy with mental health professionals, actively inquiring about their personnel’s feelings, and training them as support workers. The pandemic situation also caused organizations to create their own standard operating models to decrease mental load.

Fortunately , the problem has now been addressed actively , as a peer-to-peer defusing model was built up at our workplace during the crisis , and group defusing has started , the purpose of which is to lighten the work-related mental load. (Participant 3)

Major theme: Adaptable EMS operations

There were several different resources that clarified mission activities. The amount of protective and cleaning equipment was ramped up, and the treatment equipment was quickly updated to meet the demands brought about by the pandemic and to enable safety distances for the EMS personnel. In addition, various guidelines were amended to reduce exposure. For example, personnel on the dedicated COVID-19 ambulances were separated to work without physical contact with others, and field supervisors joined the EMS missions less often than before. Moreover, people at the scene were contacted by phone in advance to ensure that there would be no exposure risk, which also allowed other occupational safety risks to be identified. New practices resulted from the pandemic, such as cleaning communication equipment during shift changes and regularly using PPE with infected patients. All of these were seen as positive resources for efficient work.

At the end of each shift , all keys , telephones , etc., were cleaned and handed over to the next shift. This practice was not previously established in our area , but this will become a permanent practice in the future and is perceived by everyone in our work community as a positive thing. (Participant 10)

Some stated that access to PPE was sufficient, especially in areas where the number of COVID-19 infections was low. PPE was upgraded to make it easier to wear. Further, organizations acquired a variety of cleaning equipment to speed up the disinfection of ambulances.

Organizations hired more employees to enable leave and the operation of dedicated COVID-19 ambulances. The overall number of ambulances was also increased. Non-urgent missions were handled through enhanced phone services, reducing the unnecessary exposure of EMS personnel to COVID-19.

Five extra holiday substitutes were hired for EMS so that the employer could guarantee the success of agreed leave , even if the Emergency Preparedness Act had given them opportunities to cancel or postpone it. (Participant 12)

Minor theme: Encouraging atmosphere

Peer support from colleagues, a positive, comfortable, pleasant work environment, and open discussion, as well as smooth cooperation with other healthcare employees were felt to be resources for work well-being by reducing the heavy workload experienced. Due to the pandemic, the appreciation of healthcare was felt to increase slightly, which was identified as a resource.

One factor affecting resilience in the healthcare sector is certainly that in exceptional circumstances , visibility and appreciation have somewhat increased. (Participant 23)

This study examined, according to the experiences and observations of paramedics, (1) what kinds of emotions the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel experienced in their new working circumstances, and (2) what work-related factors became resources for the well-being of EMS personnel during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each research question was answered with three themes.

Previous studies have shown that the pandemic increased the workload of paramedics, prompting changes in their operating models and the function of EMS to align with new pandemic-related requirements [ 9 , 27 ]. Initially, the paramedics in the current study described facing unclear and deficient guidelines and feeling obligated to follow instructions without adequate support to internalize them. Constantly changing instructions were linked to negative emotions in various ways. Moreover, the overwhelming flood of information was heavily connected to this, although the information flow was also perceived as a resource, especially when it was timely and well-structured. The study by Sangal et al. [ 15 ] has raised similar observations and points out the importance of paying special attention to the personnel working in the frontline, as in EMS, who might be more heavily impacted by too much information and anxiety about it. They also discovered that three factors are crucial for addressing the challenges of information overload and anxiety: consolidating information before distributing it, maintaining consistent communication, and ensuring communication is two-way. McAlearney et al. [ 11 ] found that first responders, including EMS personnel, reported frustration regarding COVID-19 information because of inconsistencies between sources, misinformation on social media, and the impact of politics. A Finnish study also recognized that health systems were not sufficiently prepared for the flood of information in the current media environment [ 12 ]. Based on these previous results and our findings, it can be concluded that proper implementation of crisis communication should be an integral part of organizations’ preparedness in the future, ensuring that communication effectively supports employee actions in real-life situations. Secondly, this topic highlights the need for precise guidelines and their implementation. With better preparedness, similar chaos could be avoided in the future [ 17 ].

Many other factors also caused changes in work. The EMS mission profile changed [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ], where paramedics in this study saw concerns. To prevent infection risk, the number of pre-arrival calls increased [ 7 ], the duration of EMS missions increased [ 8 , 9 ], and the continuous use of PPE and enhanced hygiene standards imposed additional burdens [ 9 , 10 ]. In Finland, there was no preparedness for the levels of PPE usage required in the early stages of the pandemic [ 12 ]. In this study, paramedics described that working with potentially inadequate PPE caused fear and frustration, which was increased by a lack of training, causing them to feel a great deal of responsibility for acting aseptically and caring for patients correctly. Conversely, providing adequate PPE, information and training has been found to increase the willingness to work [ 28 ] and the sense of safety in working in a pandemic situation [ 29 ], meaning that the role of precise training, operating instructions and leadership in the use of PPE is emphasized [ 30 ].

The paramedics in this study described many additional new concerns in their work, affecting their lives comprehensively. It has been similarly described that the pandemic adversely affected the overall well-being of healthcare personnel [ 31 ]. The restrictions implemented also impacted their leisure time [ 32 ], and the virus caused concerns for their own and their families’ health [ 11 , 28 ]. In line with this, the pandemic increased stress, burnout [ 10 , 33 ], and anxiety among EMS personnel and other healthcare personnel working on the frontline [ 11 , 14 , 34 , 35 ]. These kinds of results underscore the need for adequate guidance and support, a lack of which paramedics reported experiencing in the current study.

Personnel play a crucial role in the efficient operation of an organization and comprise the main identified resource in this study. Previous studies and summaries have highlighted that EMS personnel did not receive sufficient support during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 11 , 14 , 17 , 18 ]. Research has also brought to light elements of adequate support related to the pandemic, such as a review by Dickson et al. [ 16 ] that presents six tentative theories for healthful leadership, all of which are intertwined with genuine encounter, preparedness, and information use. In this current study, the results showed numerous factors related to these contexts that were identified as resources, specifically underlined by elements of caring, effective operational change, knowledge-based actions, and present leadership, similarly described in a study by Eaton-Williams & Williams [ 18 ]. Moreover, the paramedics in our study highlighted the importance of encouragement and identified peer support from colleagues as a resource, which is in line with studies in the UK and Finland [ 12 , 23 , 37 ].

In the early stages of the pandemic, it was noted that the EMS personnel lacked adequate training to manage their mental health, and there was a significant shortage of psychosocial support measures [ 14 ], although easy access to support would have been significant [ 18 ]. In the current study, some paramedics felt that mental health support was inadequate and delayed, while others observed an increase in mental health support during the pandemic, seeing it as an incentive for organizations to develop standard operating models for mental support, for example. This awakening was identified as a resource. This is consistent, as providing psychological support to personnel has been highlighted as a core aspect of crisis management in a Finnish study assessing health system resilience related to COVID-19 [ 12 ]. In a comprehensive recommendation commentary, Isakov et al. [ 17 ] suggest developing a national strategy to improve resilience by addressing the mental health consequences of COVID-19 and other occupational stressors for EMS personnel. This concept, applicable beyond the US, supports the view that EMS organizations are becoming increasingly aware of the need to prepare for and invest in this area.

A fundamental factor likely underlying all the described emotions was that changes in the job descriptions of the EMS personnel due to the pandemic were significant and, in part, mandated from above. In this study, paramedics described feelings of concern and frustration related to these many changes and uncertainties. According to Zamoum and Gorpe (2018), efficient crisis management emphasizes the importance of respecting emotions, recognizing rights, and making appropriate decisions. Restoring trust is a significant challenge in a crisis situation, one that cannot be resolved without complete transparency and open communication [ 38 ]. This perspective is crucial to consider in planning for future preparedness. Overall, the perspective of employee rights and obligations in exceptional circumstances has been relatively under-researched, but in Australia, grounding research on this perspective has been conducted with paramedics using various approaches [ 39 , 40 , 41 ]. The researchers conclude that there is a lack of clarity about the concept of professional obligation, specifically regarding its boundaries, and the issue urgently needs to be addressed by developing clear guidelines that outline the obligation to respond, both in normal day-to-day operations and during exceptional circumstances [ 39 ].

Complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory recognizes that in a resilient organization, different levels adapt to changing environments [ 19 , 20 ]. Barasa et al. (2018) note that planned resilience and adaptive resilience are both important [ 19 ]. Kihlström et al. (2022) note that the health system’s resilience was strengthened by a certain expectation of crisis, and they also recognized further study needs on how effectively management is responding to weak signals [ 12 ]. This could be directly related to how personnel can prepare for future changes. The results of this study revealed many negative emotions related to sudden changes, but at the same time, effective organizational adaptation was identified as a resource for the well-being of EMS personnel. Dissecting different elements of system adaptation in a crisis has been recognized as a highly necessary area for further research [ 20 ]. Kihlström et al. (2022) emphasize the importance of ensuring a healthy workforce across the entire health system. These frameworks suggest numerous potential areas for future research, which would also enhance effective preparedness [ 12 ].

Limitations of the study

In this study, we utilized essay material written in the fall of 2020, in which experienced paramedics reflected on the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic from a work-oriented perspective. The essays were approached inductively, meaning that they were not directly written to answer our research questions, but the aim and the research questions were shaped based on the content [ 26 ]. The essays included extensive descriptions that aligned well with the aim of this study. However, it is important to remember when interpreting the results that asking specifically about this topic, for instance, in an interview, might have yielded different descriptions. It can be assessed that the study achieved a tentative descriptive level, as the detailed examination of complex phenomena such as emotions and resources would require various methods and observations.

Although the essays were mostly profound, well-thought-out, and clearly written, their credibility [ 42 ] may be affected by the fact that several months had passed between the time the essays were written and the events described. Memories may have altered, potentially influencing the content of the writings. Diary-like material from the very onset of the pandemic might have yielded more precise data, and such a data collection method could be considered in future research on exceptional circumstances.

The credibility [ 42 ] could also have been enhanced if the paramedics who wrote the essays had commented on the results and provided additional perspectives on the material and analysis through a multi-phase data collection process. This was not deemed feasible in this study, mainly because there was a 2.5-year gap between data collection and the start of the analysis. However, this also strengthened the overall trustworthiness of the study, as it allowed the first author, who had worked in prehospital emergency care during the initial phase of the pandemic, to maintain a distance from the subject, and enabled a comparison of our own findings with previously published research that investigated the same period in different contexts. The comparison was made when writing the discussion, with the analysis itself being inductive and following the thematic analysis process described by Braun & Clarke [ 26 ].

When evaluating credibility [ 42 ], it should also be noted that the participants who wrote the essays, i.e., the data for the study, were experienced paramedics but also students and one of the researchers was their principal lecturer. This could potentially limit credibility if the students, for some reason, did not want to produce truthful content for their lecturer to read. However, this risk can be considered small because the essays’ topics did not concern the students’ academic progress, the essays’ content was quite consistent, and the results aligned with other studies. As a strength, it can be considered that the students shared their experiences without holding back, as the thoughts were not for workplace use, and they could trust the data privacy statement.

To enhance transferability [ 42 ], the context of the study was described in detail, highlighting the conditions prevailing in Finnish prehospital emergency care during the early stages of the pandemic. Moreover, including a diverse range of perspectives from paramedics working in different regions of Finland (except Northern Finland) contributes to the transferability of the study, indicating that the results may be applicable and relevant to a wider context beyond a single specific region.

Dependability [ 42 ] was reinforced by the close involvement of two researchers from different backgrounds in the analysis of the material, but a limitation is that no separate analyses were conducted. However, the original data was repeatedly revisited during the analysis, which strengthened the dependability. Moreover, the first author kept detailed notes throughout the analysis process, and the last author supervised the progress while also contributing to the analysis and reporting. The research process is also reported in detail.

This study highlighted numerous, mainly negative emotions experienced by EMS personnel during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic due to new working circumstances. At the same time, several work-related factors were identified as resources for their well-being. The findings suggest that crisis management practices should be more attentive to personnel needs, ensuring that personnel have the necessary support, both managerial and psychological, readily available in crisis situations. Effective organizational adaptation in a crisis situation also supports personnel well-being, emphasizing the importance of effective preparedness. Future research should particularly focus on considering personnel well-being as part of organizational adaptation during exceptional circumstances and utilize these findings to enhance preparedness.

Data availability

The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to the inclusion of sensitive information and the extent of the informed consent provided by the participants.

Abbreviations

Complex Adaptive Systems (theory)

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Emergency Medical Services

Personal Protective Equipment

United Kingdom

Drennan IR, Blanchard IE, Buick JE. Opportunity for change: is it time to redefine the role of paramedics in healthcare? CJEM. 2021;23(2):139–40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43678-021-00105-y

Boechler L, Cameron C, Smith JC, Ford-Jones P, Suthers P. Impactful approaches to Leadership on the Front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic: lived experiences of Canadian paramedics. Healthc Q. 2021;24(3):42–7. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcq.2021.26620 .

Article   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Lerner EB, Newgard CD, Mann NC. Effect of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the U.S. Emergency Medical Services System: a preliminary Report. Acad Emerg Med. 2020;27(8):693–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/acem.14051 .

Article   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

O’Connor AW, Hannah HA, Burnor EA, Fukutaki KG, Peterson T, Ballard DW, et al. Emergency Medical Service Utilization and response following COVID-19 emergency and stay-at-home policies: an interrupted time-series analysis. Cureus. 2021;21(11). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.19794 .

Azbel M, Heinänen M, Lääperi M, Kuisma M. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on trauma-related emergency medical service calls: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Emerg Med. 2021;9(1):102. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-021-00495-3 .

Article   CAS   Google Scholar  

Lane DJ, Blanchard IE, Buick JE, Shaw M, McRae AD. Changes in presentation, presenting severity and disposition among patients accessing emergency services during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Calgary, Alberta: a descriptive study. CMAJ Open. 2021;9(2):592–601. https://doi.org/10.9778/cmajo.20200313 .

Article   Google Scholar  

Shukla V, Lau CSM, Towns M, Mayer J, Kalkbrenner K, Beuerlein S, et al. COVID-19 exposure among First Responders in Arizona. J Occup Environ Med. 2020;62(12):981–5. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000002027 .

Article   CAS   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Andrew E, Nehme Z, Stephenson M, Walker T, Smith K. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on demand for emergency ambulances in Victoria, Australia. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2021;16:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2021.1944409 .

Eskol JR, Zegers FD, Wittrock D, Lassen AT, Mikkelsen S. Increased ambulance on-scene times but unaffected response times during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Denmark. BMC Emerg Med. 2022;9(1):61. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-022-00623-7 .

Schumann H, Böckelmann I, Thielmann B. Relaxation and strain among emergency medical service personnel and emergency control center dispatchers during the first two waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Med Pr. 2023;15(5):353–62. https://doi.org/10.13075/mp.5893.01401 .

McAlearney AS, Gaughan AA, MacEwan SR, Gregory ME, Rush LJ, Volney J, et al. Pandemic experience of first responders: fear, frustration, and stress. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;13(8):4693. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084693 .

Kihlström L, Huhtakangas M, Karreinen S, Viita-Aho M, Keskimäki I, Tynkkynen LK. Local cooperation has been the cornerstone: facilitators and barriers to resilience in a decentralized health system during COVID-19 in Finland. J Health Organ Manag. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-02-2022-0069 .

Hendrickson RC, Slevin RA, Hoerster KD, Chang BP, Sano E, McCall CA, et al. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Mental Health, Occupational Functioning, and Professional Retention among Health Care workers and First Responders. J Gen Intern Med. 2022;37(2):397–408. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-07252-z .

Awais SB, Martins RS, Khan MS. Paramedics in pandemics: protecting the mental wellness of those behind enemy lines. Br J Psychiatry. 2021;218(2):75–6. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2020.193 .

Sangal RB, Bray A, Reid E, Ulrich A, Liebhardt B, Venkatesh AK, et al. Leadership communication, stress, and burnout among frontline emergency department staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods approach. Healthc (Amst). 2021;9(4):100577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hjdsi.2021.100577 .

Dickson CAW, Davies C, McCormack B, Westcott L, Merrell J, Mcilfatrick S, et al. UK nurses’ and midwives’ experiences of healthful leadership practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid realist review. J Nurs Manag. 2022;30(8):3942–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13790 .

Isakov A, Carr M, Munjal KG, Kumar L, Gausche-Hill MEMS. Agenda 2050 meets the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Secur. 2022;20(S1):S97–106. https://doi.org/10.1089/hs.2021.0179 .

Eaton-Williams PJ, Williams J. See us as humans. Speak to us with respect. Listen to us. A qualitative study on UK ambulance staff requirements of leadership while working during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Lead. 2023;7(2):102–7. https://doi.org/10.1136/leader-2022-000622 .

Barasa E, Mbau R, Gilson L. What is resilience and how can it be nurtured? A systematic review of empirical literature on Organizational Resilience. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2018;7(6):491–503. https://doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2018.06 .

Coetzee C, Van Niekerk D, Raju E. Disaster resilience and complex adaptive systems theory: finding common grounds for risk reduction. Disaster Prev Manage. 2016;25(2):196–211. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-07-2015-0153 .

American Psychological Association. Emotion. APA Dictionary of Psychology. https://dictionary.apa.org/emotion . Accessed on 26.6.2024.

Demerouti E, Bakker AB, Nachreiner F, Schaufeli WB. The job demands-resources model of burnout. J Appl Psychol. 2001;86(3):499–512.

Ericsson CR, Lindström V, Rudman A, Nordquist H. Paramedics’ perceptions of job demands and resources in Finnish emergency medical services: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22(1):1469. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08856-9 .

Rinkinen T, Kinnula M, Nordquist H. Technological development roles and needs in pre-hospital emergency care from the advanced level paramedics’ perspective. Int Emerg Nurs. 2024;73:101406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2024.101406 .

Moodle Pty Ltd. 2020. https://moodle.org/ . Accessed on date 17.6.2024.

Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol. 2006;3:2:77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa .

Prezant DJ, Lancet EA, Zeig-Owens R, Lai PH, Appel D, Webber MP, et al. System impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on New York City’s emergency medical services. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2020;9(6):1205–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12301 .

Alwidyan MT, Oteir AO, Trainor J. Working during pandemic disasters: views and predictors of EMS providers. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2022;16(1):116–22. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2020.131 .

Rebmann T, Charney RL, Loux TM, Turner JA, Abbyad YS, Silvestros M. Emergency Medical Services Personnel’s pandemic influenza training received and willingness to work during a future pandemic. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2020;24(5):601–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2019.1701158 .

Article   CAS   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

McCann-Pineo M, Li T, Barbara P, Levinsky B, Berkowitz J. Factors influencing Use of Personal Protective Equipment among Emergency Medical services Responders during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Retrospective Chart Review. West J Emerg Med. 2022;23(3):396–407. https://doi.org/10.5811/westjem.2022.2.55217 .

Vanhaecht K, Seys D, Bruyneel L, Cox B, Kaesemans G, Cloet M, et al. COVID-19 is having a destructive impact on health-care workers’ mental well-being. Int J Qual Health Care. 2021;20(1):mzaa158. https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzaa158 .

Zolnikov TR, Furio F. First responders and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Hum Behav Soc Environ. 2021;31(1–4):244–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2020.1811826 .

Spychała A, Piwowarska M, Piekut A. The COVID-19 pandemic as a stress factor in the work of a paramedic. Med Pr. 2023;8(1):9–17. https://doi.org/10.13075/mp.5893.01278 .

Roberts R, Wong A, Jenkins S, Neher A, Sutton C, O’Meara P, et al. Mental health and well-being impacts of COVID-19 on rural paramedics, police, community nurses and child protection workers. Aust J Rural Health. 2021;29(5):753–67. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12804 .

Chang YT, Hu YJ. Burnout and Health issues among Prehospital Personnel in Taiwan Fire Departments during a Sudden Spike in Community COVID-19 cases: a cross-sectional study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;16(4):2257. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042257 .

Mausz J, Donnelly EA, Moll S, Harms S, McConnell M. Mental disorder symptoms and the relationship with resilience among paramedics in a single Canadian site. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;17(8):4879. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084879 .

Phung VH, Sanderson K, Pritchard G, Bell F, Hird K, Wankhade P, et al. The experiences and perceptions of wellbeing provision among English ambulance services staff: a multi-method qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;15(1):1352. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08729-1 .

Zamoum K, Gorpe TS. Crisis Management: a historical and conceptual Approach for a better understanding of today’s crises. Crisis Manage - Theory Pract InTech. 2018. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.76198 .

Anderson C, Pooley JA, Mills B, Anderson E, Smith EC. Do paramedics have a Professional Obligation to work during a pandemic? A qualitative exploration of Community Member expectations. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2020;14(3):406–12. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2020.212 .

Smith E, Burkle FM, Gebbie K, Ford D, Bensimon C. Acceptable limitations on Paramedic Duty to treat during disaster: a qualitative exploration. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(5):466–70. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X18000857 .

Smith E, Burkle F, Gebbie K, Ford D, Bensimon C. A qualitative study of paramedic duty to treat during disaster response. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2019;13(2):191–6. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2018.15 .

Cypress BS. Rigor or reliability and validity in qualitative research: perspectives, strategies, reconceptualization, and recommendations. Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2017;36(4):253–63. https://doi.org/10.1097/DCC.0000000000000253 .

TENK. Guidelines for the responsible conduct of research and for handling allegations of misconduct in Finland [Internet]. Helsinki: Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK; 2023. https://tenk.fi/sites/default/files/2023-11/RI_Guidelines_2023.pdf . Accessed 13 Jan 2024.

TENK. Ethical review in human sciences [Internet]. Helsinki: Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK; 2020. https://tenk.fi/sites/default/files/2021-1/Ethical_review_in_human_sciences_2020.pdf . Accessed 13 Jan 2024.

Download references

Acknowledgements

We want to sincerely thank all the paramedics who participated in this study.

Open access funded by Helsinki University Library.

Open Access funding provided by University of Helsinki (including Helsinki University Central Hospital).

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

Henna Myrskykari

Emergency Medical Services, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

Department of Healthcare and Emergency Care, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Kotka, Finland

Hilla Nordquist

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Contributions

Study design (HM, HN). Data collection (HN). Methodology (HN). Analysis (HM, HN). Writing (HM, HN). Review and editing (HM, HN). Supervision (HN). Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Henna Myrskykari .

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate.

The study followed the good scientific practice defined by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK [ 43 ]. The study was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration and applicable national guidelines. Adhering to the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK) guidelines on ethical principles of research with human participants and ethical review in the human sciences in Finland, an ethical review statement from a human sciences ethics committee was not required for this type of study. The participants consisted of adult students engaged in regular employment. Their involvement in the research was grounded on informed consent. The study did not involve concerns regarding the participants’ physical integrity, nor were they subjected to exceptionally strong stimuli. The potential for causing mental harm was not beyond what is typically encountered in everyday life, and their participation did not pose any safety risks [ 44 ].

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note.

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ . The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver ( http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ ) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article.

Myrskykari, H., Nordquist, H. Paramedics’ experiences and observations: work-related emotions and well-being resources during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic—a qualitative study. BMC Emerg Med 24 , 152 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-024-01072-0

Download citation

Received : 25 April 2024

Accepted : 13 August 2024

Published : 26 August 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-024-01072-0

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Emergency medical services
• Health personnel
• Qualitative research

BMC Emergency Medicine

ISSN: 1471-227X

• General enquiries: [email protected]