Sticking to the Theme

      A theme is an idea that is proven throughout a novel, essay, poem, or really any type of literature. It is the reasoning behind a writers efforts- to convey a point to the reader in order to pursuay them into giving this idea thought even if they disagree with it. Have you ever read something where the writer goes on and on and jumps from different points. This tends to get messy and can confuse a reader as well as draw them away from the theme of the piece of literature. Not just in writing, but in conversation as well it is always important to support a "grand theme" or idea so that everything you say backs up this idea and has you feeling confident and convincing about the statement you are trying to make. For example, you are writing a report on why president Obama is the best president in United States history. It would not be a good idea to go on and on about his contributions to his wife and kids because that does not support the grand theme. Sure, it makes him look like a great individual and father, but that is not what you are writing the paper about; your writing it about his presidency. On task, on might talk about his involvement in Iraq or his policy of on shore oil drilling, but never about his family because then one will lose track of their purpose in writing the report and will drift too far from the main theme and lose a reader. That brings up another point that just because as a writer you feel that you know where you are headed in writing literature/conversation that does not mean that your reader/listener will find your arguments insignificant and lose the level of devotion they once had for your ideas. These are some of the reasons why it is always strategic to stick to the theme.