Theme is the deeper meaning of a text, the insight about life which comes both from the author and the reader.
Themes are what may influence your life long after you’ve completed reading the story. The author is going to put some clues and information into the story, but the reader is going to bring their life experiences to the text. Together those things are going to lead to the insight about life.
Looking for theme?
It’s difficult to find theme, and, what’s more, have others agree with you. Too, it’s sometimes challenging to put it into words.
The title may be a clue. Authors are very picky about their titles (unless the editor influences the change of title). Anyhoo, titles may point you in the right direction for what the author wants the reader to get out of the text.
Watch how the characters change, or how they don’t change. This might be a clue to the theme.
Focus in on the most important events in the story.
Pay special attention to the resolution of the story. When it’s all said and done, what happens to everybody?
Style: How writers use language to express themselves.
The author might play with punctuation, put it in unusual spots to create an effect rather than follow the rules of grammar.
Sound patterns might hint at the theme.
plot twists, repeated symbols or themes, rhythm.
The author might use figurative language, such as similes, metaphor, hyperbole and personification to keep things interesting, keep the reader turning the pages.
Or they might rely on imagery, or different visuals that come up time and time again.
Style is the hardest thing to teach someone, but it’s the best tool an author has because it lets the author’s personality come to the surface.
It may help reflect a theme, mood or message.
It is that mysterious element that hooks you on an author. Style is what keeps you reading late into the night.
When you start writing your own stories, experiment with these elements to find your own sparkling, unique style!
