After you have a basic knowledge of the assignment, you should ask some questions about the topic. These questions include asking yourself what you already know about the topic, what points are important and how this topic relates to other subjects you know about. Students should use notebook paper to coordinate ideas and determine the focus of the paper. They should also make notes about what they do not know about the topic and how they may find the necessary information. Look for connections between different ideas and make notes to use those connections later in your writing. Making the connections will also help you formalize the general theme and thesis statement for your paper and create a more effective conclusion.
Once you are finished with your prewriting, it is time to organize your ideas into different categories and use those subtopics as the "meat and potato" details of your paper. These details support your thesis statement. College theme papers are different than high school papers because they demand more than just facts; many college professors expect students to explain the how and why of the assignment.
Students should also be wary of the five paragraph essay theme that is taught in many high schools. The five paragraphs often do a poor job at laying down the framework for a paper, can be overly repetitive and lack any attempt at constructing an argument.
For many theme papers, it is not enough to summarize information that is already known. Writers of all levels of expertise have their own voice, and students should bring their opinions to the conversation. It is important to be analytical and not too personal. Be careful to not include personal associations, reactions or experiences. Instead, evaluate the theme as you encounter it in your paper and continue to evaluate as you proceed with your writing. You want to shine through your words while still keeping within the boundaries of the assignment.