How can you use theme to tie together a story?

1 Why theme matters

Theme matters because it helps you create a coherent and consistent story that resonates with your audience. Theme can guide your choices of characters, settings, conflicts, symbols, and tone, and help you avoid inconsistencies or contradictions that might confuse or alienate your reader. Theme can also help you communicate your vision and values as a writer, and invite your reader to think deeper about the issues and emotions that your story raises.

2 How to find your theme

Finding your theme can be a challenging and rewarding process that involves exploring your own interests, passions, and beliefs, as well as researching and studying the topics and genres that inspire you. You can start by asking yourself some questions, such as: What do you want to say with your story? What is the main question or problem that your story addresses? What is the emotional core of your story? What are the values and perspectives of your characters? How do they change or grow throughout the story? You can also look for common themes in the stories that you enjoy or admire, and see how they are expressed and developed by other writers.

3 How to express your theme

Expressing your theme can be done in various ways, depending on your genre, style, and audience. You can use direct or indirect methods, such as dialogue, narration, action, imagery, symbolism, metaphor, or allegory. You can also use multiple themes or subthemes, as long as they are relevant and connected to your main theme. However, you should avoid being too obvious or preachy with your theme, as this might bore or annoy your reader. Instead, you should show rather than tell your theme, and let your reader discover and interpret it for themselves.

4 How to structure your theme

Structuring your theme can help you organize your story and create a satisfying arc and resolution. You can use different models or frameworks, such as the three-act structure, the hero's journey, or the plot pyramid, to map out how your theme evolves and influences your story. You can also use techniques such as foreshadowing, callbacks, contrasts, parallels, or twists, to reinforce or challenge your theme throughout your story. You should aim to have a clear and consistent theme that supports and enhances your plot, rather than distracts or contradicts it.

5 How to test your theme

Testing your theme can help you improve and refine your story and ensure that it delivers the intended message and impact. You can test your theme by asking yourself or others some questions, such as: Does your theme match your genre and audience? Does your theme make sense and flow logically? Does your theme have enough depth and complexity? Does your theme provoke curiosity and emotion? Does your theme have a clear and satisfying conclusion? You can also use feedback, critique, or editing tools, to identify and fix any issues or gaps in your theme.

6 How to apply your theme

Applying your theme can help you create a memorable and meaningful story that stands out and connects with your reader. You can apply your theme by using it as a source of inspiration, motivation, and direction for your writing. You can also use it as a tool for revision, evaluation, and improvement of your writing. You can also use it as a way to market, pitch, or summarize your story, by highlighting its unique and appealing aspects. You can also use it as a way to engage, interact, or educate your reader, by inviting them to share their thoughts, opinions, or experiences on your theme.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?