According to Westminster High School, some example thematic statements include the following: "Long held beliefs and values rarely change unless stimulated by a dramatic event" and "When torn between two separate worlds, each with its own set of values, individuals must work to find their own true beliefs." Rather than referring to specific details of a book or other piece of literature, thematic statements focus on something that can apply to life in general.
Some common topics that thematic statements focus on include censorship, relationships, the pursuit of goals and change. Composing a thematic statement involves analyzing the topic to determine who it affects, how it affects society, what problems result from it, why it's important and what it's actually about. The thematic statement should not state the theme itself as the topic, be too general or only apply to specific characters in literature.
