Theme

When you write a paper, you have a main, controlling idea to organize the paper. This main idea is a theme. Along with the topic, the paper includes an angle, or perspective on the topic.

In your ePortfolio, your theme needs a direction so that viewers know what you are trying to point out about topic. Without this direction, viewers will be searching for your perspective on the main idea. For instance, let's say that your main topic for your ePortfolio is your military service. You have your topic, but what is it that you want to point out about your topic? Do you want viewers to know that the military has shaped your attitudes and behavior in all areas of your life, including academics? How do you look at the world, based on your military training?The answers to these questions could be your theme.

Theme is stated on the Welcome page, so that viewers get an immediate insight into who you are and what you stand for. You should also explain how the theme applies to you in a sentence or two. You want to engage, or "hook" your viewers with your theme, but you don't want to tell them too much.

Many students use a quotation or a reference to a famous person or even a super hero. A student could relate to Ironman and use a quotation from and Ironman movie to demonstrate theme. The student challenges himself in everything that he does and pushes for excellence. Jason Reynolds used this quotation by Abraham Lincoln to summarize his theme: “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.”

He explains:

Although history was never my primary interest, I have always held a deep appreciation for

the wisdom of great historical figures. Perhaps my favorite is Abraham Lincoln, a true self-

made man who rose from poverty with the help of his deep thirst for knowledge. I admire

these traits and like to envision myself following the same path. Like Lincoln, I possess a

strong desire to succeed and am always working to improve myself and reach my goals.

(Reynolds)

The quotation and the explanation of its significance provide a foundation for Reynolds to build his portrait for viewers. Abraham Lincoln had a hard life and worked for everything that he achieved. He was mostly self-taught and studied for the bar and passed it to become a lawyer. His political career, which was filled with challenges, culminated in the presidency where he had to lead the United States during civil war. Knowing what we do about Lincoln and this quotation about the need to believe in yourself to succeed, a picture of Jason Reynolds begins to form. Viewers have learned a great deal about Reynolds from reading a few sentences.