What is a thematic statement?

A thematic statement explains the theme of a story or poem in one sentence. Thematic statements boil lengthy novels down to one central concept, sometimes making them difficult to draft when several plots are at work.

Most thematic statements focus on the writer's attempt to deal with a large-scale topic, such as love, death or war. The statements usually make a comment about human nature or behavior, and the concepts often are applicable to other stories in addition to the one under discussion. To draft a thematic statement, read the entire work and then contemplate what central message the writer wishes for readers to remember long after the story is finished.