Our Town | English III Theme

Its a little play with all the big subjects in it. -Thornton Wilder to Gertrude Stein,
1937
Introduction:
This unique piece of theater tells of life and death, joy and sorrow in a small
New England town. Its simple plot reflects the important events in the lives of most
people and its philosophy affirms what is meaningful in even the most ordinary
lives.
Prompt: What universal facts and views on life and humanity does
Thornton Wilder reveal the classic play Our Town?
Essentially, you are figuring out the theme of the piece. Remember theme means
an idea or insight about life and human nature that gives the story meaning.
Theme will be written in class on Monday, November 2 nd. You must have the outline
done in order to write the theme.
I.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Introduction
Attention Getter:
Narrowing Sentence:
Our Town by Thornton Wilder
Thesis: Our Town is perhaps, the great American play because of its
universality, introspective view on mortality, and its haunting reminder to
always look at one another.
(Make your own thesis!) Remember what you add is the focus of
your body paragraphs. If I were to take all of your papers and
scatter them on the streets of downtown---every pedestrian should
be able to look at the last paragraph of your first sentence and know
what YOUR ENTIRE PAPER IS ABOUT

Thesis:
II. Main Point (My example-Universality)
A. (Point
i.
ii.
B. (Point
i.
ii.

I)
(Illustration) Write Quote on a separate Quote Page
(Explanation)
II)
(Illustration)-Write Quote on a separate Quote Page
(Explanation)

Clincher:
III. Main Point (My example-View on Mortality)
A. (Point
i.
ii.
B. (Point

I)
(Illustration)-Write Quote on a separate Quote Page
(Explanation)
II)

i.
ii.

(Illustration)-Write Quote on a separate Quote Page

(Explanation)

Clincher:
IV. Main Point (My example-Advice to Look at one another)
A. (Point I)
i.
(Illustration)-Write Quote on a separate Quote Page
ii.
(Explanation)
B. (Point II)
i. (Illustration)-Wrote Quote on a separate Quote Page
iii.
(Explanation)
Clincher:
V. Clincher Sentence Conclusion
A. Restate thesis
B. Summary of first main point
C. Summary of second main point
D. Summary of third main point
E. Final Thoughts