What are the differences between theme, thesis statement, topic sentence and main idea in essay writing?
In essay writing, theme and topic are very closely related. If there's a difference between them, it lies in the distinction between whether they are explicitly discussed or simply present in the writing. A topic is the what is being talked about. For example, in an essay on income inequality between genders (the topic), the differences between pay will be discussed directly. A similar essay discussing differences between genders in the workplace might describe how a male and a female might earn different amounts in different situations, but might not directly state such a difference. The theme of pay difference would still be present. Both essays would contain the same idea as a theme, but in the latter it might not be considered a topic since it is not actually talked about directly.The main idea of an essay is the main point which the essay is attempting to get across, a more specific idea than a theme or topic. For example, one essay on gender inequality in the workplace might argue "women receiving less pay is a social injustice that needs to be corrected" while another essay might argue that "people of different genders receiving different pay is more a product of differences in social and biological roles than due to sexism." While both essays would include the theme/topic of pay differences, their main idea would be strikingly different.A thesis statement is a main idea with the characteristics of making a specific argument. Not all main ideas are arguments, such as describing how domestic cats are similar to lions in behavior. No argument is being made, so the main idea is not a thesis.In this answer, both the theme and topic are "the differences between topic, theme, and main ideas" while the main idea would could be summarized as "theme and topic are closely related with only a slight difference, while a main idea is a specific statement about the topic that the author wants to make."
What does "thematic meaning" mean?
"Thematic meaning" sounds like jargon to me. Any piece of literature does have a theme, maybe several. Typically, just to state a theme is to state the meaning of the theme. Say the theme is that life is hard. Only a pedant is going to say, well, what does that mean, as if there is some deeper layer to this theme. So here's my take: if you state a theme in a clear and complete way, you have done what they asked for in their professorial way. The only wiggle room I see here for the pedants is if you try to state a theme like this: money. That's too open-ended, and somebody might follow up by asking, well, what is the meaning of money to this author?? They want you to show command of the literature.
What is a thematic transition?
Thematic coherence is also possible when you make a shift partway through a story. Let's say you're writing about the importance of intimacy in a romantic relationship. But then partway through the story, the events reshape the thematic orientation of the piece, so instead of being about the importance of intimacy, it's about the inevitability of separation. As long as you glide through the thematic transition, taking care with your transition, the reader will feel thematic coherence. In fact, if you handle the transition effectively and seamlessly, the reader might feel quite compelled by such a shift, because he will realize that he was drawn into the story expecting a light romance, and instead he got a deep, profound experience that has significance in his own life
How does one analyse and interpret an unheard piece in A level music?
How does one respond to a question couched in jargon known (if at all) to few if any others?
What are some tips for how to write an interpretive essay?
An interpretative essay means you're allowed to provide your opinion and thoughts about a piece of writing as long as you provide support for your opinion. There's no "right or wrong" answer - it's about being able to explain your thoughts about the piece and why you think that. You've chosen the piece you want to write about. Now what you need to figure out what meaning you want to give to the text. What do you think the author's meaning and purpose for this text is? Look for patterns in the text - images that are repeated, symbols and the like. How are these pattens linked with the theme? Stuff like that. Before you start writing an essay you have to know where you want to go with it. Come up with the thesis statement - the one sentence that summarizes your point. When you write the actual essay - start with a summary of the piece, with no opinions (maybe 3-4 sentences). You want the reader familar with the work before you begin analyzing it. Include the title of the work and the author. Then end the paragraph with your thesis statement. In the body of the essay you want to do your analysis. This is where you state what you think the text is about and then support that opinion with examples. You explain all the stuff you did in the beginning with the looking for patterns, symbols and themes. Include examples for the actual text to support your ideas. Use the conclusion to point out the main points of your analysis. Your conclusion basically answers the questions "so what?" This piece of work means X - but how does that fit into the big picture of life or literature? How did this add to your personal growth or how could understanding this analysis contribute to the personal growth of others who read it? What understanding about life, society, or literature does this analysis contribute? This again is your opinion - no right or wrong answers, but comes from your experience.
I need help finding the meaning or theme of this poem..?
And 2Morrow Today is filled with anger fueled with hidden hate scared of being outcast afraid of common fate Today is built on tragedies which no one wants 2 face nightmares 2 humanities and morally disgraced Tonight is filled with rage violence in the air children bred with ruthlessness because no one at home cares Tonight I lay my head down but the pressure never stops knawing at my sanity content when I am dropped But 2morrow I c change a chance 2 build a new Built on spirit intent of Heart and ideals based on truth and tomorrow I wake with second wind and strong because of pride 2 know I fought with all my heart 2 keep my dream alive -written by Tupac Shakur Writing a paper on the meaning or theme, curious as to what other people saw in the poem.
What does Thematic Focus mean?
The phrase "thematic focus" is usually applied to something written--usually a story of some kind, or a piece of music. The "theme" of a story is the main idea that runs throughout the story. It could also apply to a piece of music, such as a "theme and variations", where the same melody or tune occurs over and over again, but each time in a different rhythm, different harmony, different key, different style, etc. "Focus" also means the central point, or main idea of a piece; so the two words have very similar meanings. Using them together simply stresses the idea of MAIN POINT or CENTRAL IDEA. The two words are often used together ("thematic focus") when teaching people how to write a story or a piece of music. The goal is that the author should have in mind a main idea or central point before beginning to create. Then it is easier to look at a sentence, for example, and ask whether it supports or illustrates the thematic focus; if it doesn't, then it should be thrown out. The phrase is also used when analyzing a story or a piece of music. If you think you understand a particular work, you should be able to state its thematic focus. "Thematic focus" can sometimes mean "summary", as in "Can you summarize what this piece is about? That is, can you describe in a few words its thematic focus?"
I need help analyzing this poem.?
I found myself with a poem that has little or hard to find poetic devices. It's called September, The First Day of School I need to find devices such as similes, rhythm, metaphors and such and such. Anything that can declare the mood or theme. I need at least 6-8 that each link with a passage (4 for mood, 4 for theme) and I'm unsure the ones I found count. Analyze? My child and I hold hands on the way to school, And when I leave him at the first-grade door He cries a little but is brave; he does Let go. My selfish tears remind me how I cried before that door a life ago. I may have had a hard time letting go. Each fall the children must endure together What every child also endures alone: Learning the alphabet, the integers, Three dozen bits and pieces of a stuff So arbitrary, so peremptory, That worlds invisible and visible Bow down before it, as in Joseph's dream The sheaves bowed down and then the stars bowed down Before the dreaming of a little boy. That dream got him such hatred of his brothers As cost the greater part of life to mend, And yet great kindness came of it in the end. II A school is where they grind the grain of thought, And grind the children who must mind the thought. It may be those two grindings are but one, As from the alphabet come Shakespeare's Plays, As from the integers comes Euler's Law, As from the whole, inseperably, the lives, The shrunken lives that have not been set free By law or by poetic phantasy. But may they be. My child has disappeared Behind the schoolroom door. And should I live To see his coming forth, a life away, I know my hope, but do not know its form Nor hope to know it. May the fathers he finds Among his teachers have a care of him More than his father could. How that will look I do not know, I do not need to know. Even our tears belong to ritual. But may great kindness come of it in the end. Any ones you find will help. Thanks in advance.
Quotation from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard?
This play is an absurdist piece, and theater of this kind focuses on the cyclical nature of humanity, the lack of meaning behind our actions, and the unpredictability of life. What I believe he is saying, in short is: We approach life with little to no real direction, and our problems jump out in front of us, like a bridge. It is an obstacle, we perceive it as an obstacle, but by some miracle we overcome that obstacle (cross the bridge.) But when we cross it, we almost forget it even happened, the problem that once seemed so large is nothing but a memory, something small, that we disregard. It is basically saying that humans put so much emphasis on little problems, their lives are surrounded by it, consumed by it, and then just as quickly as they arise, they disappear. its a comment on the nature of humanity, and the fact that we are so caught up in mindless, meaningless drama and the like. hope this helps!
In music theory what's the difference between motif and theme?
Yes, it’s easy to confuse motif and theme in music – they’re similar when you see them appear. I will try to give you my view of it:A theme is a musical phrase that is important to the piece of music. Many pieces have one or two themes that are then developed. But what exactly a theme is, also depends on the kind of music you look at (fuge, sonata, movie soundtrack …). I would compare a theme to an important quote or phrase in a speech (like “I have a dream”).A motif is also a musical phrase, although often shorter than a theme (but this is by no means a rule). A motif can play an important role in the piece, but it can also be just an unimportant repeated (e.g. sequenced) phrase. To stick with the “I have a dream” example: I would compare a motif to a recognizable phrase like “Five score years ago” and “one hundred years later”. It gives structure, is repeated and recognizable, but it doesn’t carry the main theme of the speech.I also have the feeling that the meaning of theme and motif changed throughout the centuries (please correct me, music historians). In Baroque music a fuge had one or two themes that were developed. A motif was simply a smaller phrase that could be part of a theme. In the Romantic era, Wagner lifted the motif to be the main structuring element of his music. We still hear the influence of Wagner in today’s movie scores, where every main character, place or situation has its own motif in the music. But then again, movie scores often talk about a character’s “theme”, when it would technically be a motif.In casual conversations about music I don’t see the distinction between the two to be that important. If you use Wagner’s way of structuring your whole music around motifs, but you tell your fellow musicians to play the “love theme” softer, they will still understand what you mean (and in many cases not even noting themselves, that it would actually be a motif ;)). So don’t sweat it and feel free to use the terms interchangably in practice.This explanation stems from my musical experience. If that is incorrect, I would welcome everyone to correct me!Hope this helped a bit.