Finding Your Theme

Objective – In this lesson you will learn: To use a natural, personal voice in writing theme copy To capture the personality of your school and year in words that readers can relate to

Photo by Taylor Sloger

Nothing will kill a theme faster than boring copy filled with platitudes about what the year could have or should have been. Theme copy is not the place for lofty statements that sound deep but fail to capture the everyday thoughts and feelings of students at your school. The goal of theme copy should be to help your readers remember a story they already know. It should be filled with the personal details in ways that are all about showing what life was like at YOUR school in THIS particular year. Sure, you will want to include the big things. But it’s the details, the personal reminders of what life was really like (even in not-so-important areas) that are going to make your theme copy special. Intimate. Personal.

Lesson 6 JUST SAY IT 22