Universal Themes
Make a Copy Common themes All of life is connected
Each life, no matter how small, matters
LIfe is too brief
Youth (innoncence) and beauty do not last
We don’t appreciate what we have until it is gone
Pride can blind us to the truth
Small acts of kindness and/or generosity can have a tremendous effect
Courage can reward those who push themselves
Sometimes we learn too late what we need to know
Social status, beauty, wealth, etc. do not matter
We learn through trial, hardship, or pain those lessons most valuable
The individual is sometimes in conflict with society
Individuals are often alienated and alone
Selfdetermination is a fierce inner force, but is often thwarted or delayed by outside forces
Fantasy is sometimes more real than everyday reality
Mortality is inevitable
Human beings are sometimes too weak or too blind to do what is right
We often want what others have or we often want what we cannot have
Fear, jealousy, and greed are destructive emotions
People of all cultures and of all times are more alike than they are different
Nature does not care about people
Each of us is alone, often feeling small or frightened in the world
Evil exists in the heart of men (and women)
Power can be a compelling force Activity One: Now write a universal theme statement for these thematic questions
What is truth?
What is beauty?
What is real?
What is justice?
What is honor?
What is love?
What does it mean to live a good life?
What does it mean to be a hero?
What does it mean to have courage?
What does it mean to be a friend?
Activity Two: From your blogs identify which of the themes above or below match your topic.
Then, determine at least one rhetorical strategy used, and then, defend, challenge or qualify it. In other words, why is it important? Summarize your blog or article.
Match to a theme
State the rhetorical strategy
Defend, challenge or qualify it More themes Value of technology in education
Each life, no matter how small, matters
LIfe is too brief
Youth (innoncence) and beauty do not last
We don’t appreciate what we have until it is gone
Pride can blind us to the truth
Small acts of kindness and/or generosity can have a tremendous effect
Courage can reward those who push themselves
Sometimes we learn too late what we need to know
Social status, beauty, wealth, etc. do not matter
We learn through trial, hardship, or pain those lessons most valuable
The individual is sometimes in conflict with society
Individuals are often alienated and alone
Selfdetermination is a fierce inner force, but is often thwarted or delayed by outside forces
Fantasy is sometimes more real than everyday reality
Mortality is inevitable
Human beings are sometimes too weak or too blind to do what is right
We often want what others have or we often want what we cannot have
Fear, jealousy, and greed are destructive emotions
People of all cultures and of all times are more alike than they are different
Nature does not care about people
Each of us is alone, often feeling small or frightened in the world
Evil exists in the heart of men (and women)
Power can be a compelling force Activity One: Now write a universal theme statement for these thematic questions
What is truth?
What is beauty?
What is real?
What is justice?
What is honor?
What is love?
What does it mean to live a good life?
What does it mean to be a hero?
What does it mean to have courage?
What does it mean to be a friend?
Activity Two: From your blogs identify which of the themes above or below match your topic.
Then, determine at least one rhetorical strategy used, and then, defend, challenge or qualify it. In other words, why is it important? Summarize your blog or article.
Match to a theme
State the rhetorical strategy
Defend, challenge or qualify it More themes Value of technology in education