The theme statement is a writer's pledge or contract to herself and the reader. The Writers Inc. Student Handbook suggests that a theme statement is a simple formula: an assignment (for instance, a research paper about a social issue) would be answered with a specific topic (for instance, the homeless) plus a particular stand, feeling or feature (for instance, the reasons for their predicament) that equals an effective theme or thesis statement.
English Professor Sheila Booth from the Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, Mass. instructs her student writers that "a theme statement is a single sentence that attempts to explain the story's truth (what the story worries about)."
The theme statement serves two functions. First, the writer is compelled to directly answer the question posed in the assignment and commit to a position on the issue. Likewise, stating this commitment in the first paragraph of the paper sets up clear expectations for the reader.
Dr. Steven Hale from Georgia Perimeter College explains to his Humanities class that the theme statement "forces you to decide on a clear, simple interpretation before you begin writing, and provides your reader with a summary of your interpretation."
The genesis of an idea may actually begin, in a writer's imagination, with a vague theme statement. That concept should be recorded, referred to and measured against throughout the writing process. Crafting a finished theme statement can be done when the writing is near completion so the work, in its entirety, can be considered.
Dr. Hale continues: "a successful theme statement must be general enough to capture the overall meaning of the work, but specific enough so that it conveys your unique interpretation." The theme statement itself should be a complete sentence and make a point. It is not a clever list of characters or a synopsis of events. "Often the theme statement takes the form of a moral or a judgment," writes Dr. Hale.
Muli wa Kyendo, in an article titled "How a Theme Statement Can Improve Your Writing" published on writinghood.com (2008), believes writers should always begin with a precise theme statement and use it as the "scaffolding" for the story or article. "If you cannot put the theme statement on paper, it's a clear indication that your story doesn't hang together. Vagueness is the killer of good ideas," Kyendo continues. "You can get rid of vagueness from your writing with this simple technique."