We certainly get our fair share of morals in fiction as children. Aesop’s fable of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, for example, tells the story of a shepherd boy who called out “wolf” just to see the villagers come running to help. When the boy actually found himself face to face with a wolf, his cries went unanswered because the villagers thought he was playing another trick. This warns children that it is hard to believe a liar, even when he’s telling the truth. Morals teach a lesson about right and wrong. While fables are rich with morals, other kinds of fiction don’t necessarily rely on them.
Instead, fiction should address a theme, a message that offers comments or insights about the human experience. These are not lessons, so much as underlying meanings. For example, status is an important theme in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Gatsby focuses on gaining wealth in order to win back his love, Daisy. Daisy’s husband, Tom, often discredits Gatsby by revealing his flaws in an attempt to make him look bad in the eyes of others. Most fiction will have more than one theme running through the work, with one or two central threads while others are secondary. This makes for a more complex and engaging read.
Keep in mind it is not important for readers to be able to state a story’s theme explicitly. While this is often the domain of high school English papers, it’s not important in the reading experience. Rather, theme will enrich the reading and is bound to encourage your reader to think and wonder about the human experience in specific ways.
As a writer, working with this concept of theme is tricky. If you’re too overt about it, the story will feel preachy. If the theme isn’t strong enough, the story might feel pointless. Many authors don’t even think of theme as they set out to write. Rather, they focus on individual characters and actions, and theme emerges from those. Still, meaning doesn’t always come out clearly on the first try. Often, writers will leave clues for themselves along the way. Coaxing out theme is a matter of looking for those clues and deciding how to best reveal what you've set up for yourself. I’ve found the following questions useful when theme feels hazy: What is this story really about? Why does it matter? What is important about telling it now?
Remember, this business of theme should come through action and dialogue rather than telling the reader what to think. Perhaps Flannery O’Connor said it best:
The meaning of a story has to be embodied in it, has to be made concrete in it. A story is a way to say something that can't be said any other way, and it takes every word in the story to say what the meaning is.
So don’t get caught up in excavating theme and holding it up to the light for inspection. In fiction, theme is best implied, running as a current underneath the characters and actions on the page.
FAQs
Pay attention to the details
- Write a direct answer to the question.
- Restate the question in a way that includes the answer.
- Explain your reasons in sequence.
- Give examples to expound your reasoning.
- Use citations to give credit to your sources.
- Conclude with your position in the answer.
It's what the story is about. But if you want to take it further, you could also state the theme as a more complex and specific question about that topic.
How to write good answers? ›
6 Proven Tips for Writing Impactful Answers
- Make use of the extra 15 minutes provided. ...
- Attempt question in the right order. ...
- Underline important words. ...
- Answer only one question in 'or' questions. ...
- Maintain clarity and neatness. ...
- Write to the point precise answers.
Start your answer by rewriting the question as a thesis statement. A well‐written thesis statement answers the question directly. What remains is to provide the documentation which supports your answer using the material you have studied. Proofread your answer and correct any errors in grammar, spelling or syntax.
How can I start answer writing? ›
General Tips for Answer Writing
Follow a Structure: Start your answer with a brief introduction, followed by well-structured subheadings, diagrams, flow charts, and bullet points to organize your answer effectively. Provide a Conclusion: Conclude your answer with a brief and optimistic conclusion.
What are the 5 things you should do when answering an essay question? ›
To answer an in-class essay question effectively, you must read and understand the question, plan your response, support your arguments with evidence, write a clear and logical essay, and review and revise your work.
How to structure an answer? ›
Introduction: Start by outlining the question and any key terms or concepts that need to be defined. Provide some context for your answer and a brief overview of your main arguments. Main body: In the main body of your answer, you should aim to include several distinct points, each supported by evidence and analysis.
How to write creative answers? ›
You can start with a definition or facts. In the main body, explain the question at hand in detail. Organizing your argument into bullet points or paragraphs will make it easier for the examiner to go through the topic. Lastly, end your answer with a balanced conclusion that sums up all your arguments in 3 to 5 lines.
How do you write a unique answer? ›
One way to write a unique answer is not to copy from Google, or Wikipedia, or other sources and search your own heart for feelings, and your mind for thoughts, ideas, and knowledge, and your past memories for life experiences and then use your own words to express them. It will automatically become unique.
How to give quick answers? ›
Always Give the Short Answer First
Consider giving the fast answer first, then elaborate if questioners ask for more. Often, they may not. This tactic can force you to get to the point and can eliminate your chances of rambling on.
Speak directly and clearly when you respond.
- Make sure they're paying attention to you so you don't have to repeat yourself.
- Recognize if someone else wants to speak and allow them room to talk as well.
- Allow the person to respond to what you've said as well.
How to respond to questions effectively
- Prepare for tough questions. ...
- Pause before responding. ...
- Monitor your body language. ...
- Reword the question. ...
- Take more time if you need to. ...
- Acknowledge the other person's emotions. ...
- Answer a portion of the question. ...
- Ask questions about the question.
Steps for Responding to Questions in Writing
- Read the question closely. Underline and/or circle important information in the question.
- What is the question asking you? ...
- Create a plan for responding.
- Respond in complete sentences. ...
- Re-read your response.
Answer Structure: Learn to structure your answers effectively. Each answer should have an introduction, body, and conclusion. Use headings and subheadings to make your answer more organized and readable. Clarity and Conciseness: Be clear and concise in your writing.
What is the proper way to answer a question? ›
How to respond to questions effectively
- Prepare for tough questions. ...
- Pause before responding. ...
- Monitor your body language. ...
- Reword the question. ...
- Take more time if you need to. ...
- Acknowledge the other person's emotions. ...
- Answer a portion of the question. ...
- Ask questions about the question.
To format questions and answers in APA format:
Use the correct punctuation at the end -- a question mark if the prompt is a question; a period if it is a statement. Use double spacing and one inch margins. Separate the answer from the question by beginning the answer on a new line. Always answer in complete sentences.
