Before delving into what it takes to write this type of an essay, it is important to note that all writing has a purpose. The author is usually reacting to something in his or her environment that prompts him to make a study, an opinion, a report or an imaginative or emotional reaction to the situation. The reason behind the writing forms the theme and this is the basis of thematic writing; finding a reason to write. Therefore, one would define a thematic essay as a piece of writing where the author has formulated a central topic which is evidenced through wording and literary devices.
The main challenge for most of the new writers is to find a concrete theme and be consistent with it throughout the essay. The main idea behind thematic essay writing is that the individual should form their own opinionated reaction towards another event. Therefore, most of the thematic essays are usually reactions to what other scholars have written.
Here are some of the ideas to help you through. First, it is important to make note of what one is doing in reaction to the given piece of literature, whether it is a description, an analysis, a discussion or an exposition. Once you know what exactly you are going to do in reaction to the literature you can form the main idea in a thematic statement. The thematic statement is like a thesis statement for a research paper. Therefore, grab your reader’s attention to what has happened in the introduction section then provide your opinion in the thematic statement.
This is basically what it takes to make the thematic essay since the rest of the paragraphs should be based on the thematic statement. It is important to note that the body paragraphs are explanations of the thematic statement and should begin with the literary device being discussed, analyzed or described. This ensures that the reader can see a proof of your theme and further explanations and proofs follow through to the end of the paragraph. After making not less than three paragraphs proving your main idea, the conclusion should summarize all you have done by first restating your thematic statement and a summary of what you have already written.
Essentially, the thematic statement should focus on a literary issue that is evidenced through body paragraphs and summarized at the conclusion. It is important to understand what to react to by exploring the topic extensively enough to make proofs on the theme. Nevertheless, thematic essays should be an original opinion; and can only be judged on accuracy and not wrong or right.
