The thematic statement is a sentence that combines the title (properly punctuated), the author’s name (both first and last) and the genre of the piece (TAGTT) and what the writer says about the subject.

It should be written in the active voice and the verb should not be a “to be” verb; rather it should be vibrant and meaningful.

The subject should be preceded by an adjective that will reveal the writer’s TONE.

T: TitleA: AuthorG: GenreT: ToneT: Theme

Jane Austen’s (Author) satirical novel (Genre), Pride and Prejudice (Title), illuminates the social mores (Theme) of 18th century English society by narrating the romantic (Tone) misdeeds of Elizabeth Bennett and William F. Darcy.

W.H. Auden’s ironic poem, “Musee des Beaux Arts,” utilizes situational irony to suggest that life passes by nonchalantly for those tragedy does not directly affect.

Can you TAGTT it??

W.H. Auden’s (Author) ironic poem (Genre), “Musee des Beaux Arts (Title),” utilizes situational irony to suggest that life passes by nonchalantly (Tone) for those tragedy (Theme) does not directly affect.

The universal statement usually comes at the end of the essay.

The universal statement links the specific theme of the work with a general theme, such as the condition of society.

The connection you make between the specific major work and the condition of man/society is your last statement and often determines your authority as a writer or an insightful reader.

Like the thematic statement, the universal statement should not be long.

Hysteria often takes the place of logic and causes people to behave in an irrational manner, believing things that under normal conditions they would doubt. (The Crucible)

Much of our learning happens outside the classroom. Sometimes our private discoveries show us the falsity of society that the classroom often teaches the truth. (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)

Although adolescents often strive to rebel against their parent’s traditional values, that venture sometimes proves the gullibility of childhood and the reliability of experience. (To Kill a Mockingbird).