Interpretive Theme Writer's Field Guide : How to Craft Strong Themes from Big Idea to Presentation / Jon Kohl.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kohl, Jon, author.

Series:

National Association for Interpretation.

National Association for Interpretation

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Authorship--Technique.

Authorship.

Writing.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (190 pages)

Edition:

2nd ed.

Distribution:

New York : Bloomsbury Publishing (US), 2026.

Place of Publication:

London : Bloomsbury Academic, 2026.

System Details:

text file rdaft

Summary:

The interpretive theme is the most important sentence an interpreter inks on paper. Despite its centrality to thematic interpretation, no single work has dedicated itself entirely to the art and craft of strong theme writing until now. The Interpretive Theme Writer's Field Guide builds on Sam Ham’s 30-year thematic interpretation research legacy. While leaving communication theory to his books, this companion offers writers strong theme examples, updated theme writer´s worksheet, inspirational quotes, technique highlights, and exercises, including the use of AI generators to craft themes. The second edition also includes new chapters on development psychology, presentation structures, a glossary, an essay on ChatGPT and theme writing, and much more. With contributions from Ham, Ted Cable, Shelton Johnson, Thorsten Ludwig, Don Enright, Judy Fort Brenneman, Kylie Christian, Michael Glen, and other voices from around the English-speaking world, this Field Guide serves at the desk, in the museum exhibit hall, on the park trail, or at an archeological site. It recognizes that teams, even communities, create natural-cultural heritage themes, and introduces the Interpretive Framework methodology to facilitate consensus community-based theme writing.

Contents:

Contents Foreword by Sam Ham: “Why I agreed to support this Field Guide” Pre-Tour Warmup: This Field Guide Originates in the 1990s Natural-Cultural History of the Second Edition Acknowledgments Trailhead: This Is How You Use This Field Guide Stop 1: The Theme that Lurks Behind Thematic Interpretation Stop 2: We Write Themes for Primary and Secondary Audiences Stop 3: Strong Interpretive Themes Embody Big Ideas and Vehicles to Deliver Them Stop 4: Interpreters Must Ignite Their Inspiration for the Big Idea, Not Just Write It Stop 5: The Big Idea Develops within the Audience’s Mind via a Vehicle Stop 6: Themes Are Written for and by People Growing Up Stop 7: Construction of a Presentation Structure Begins with a Theme Stop 8: Theme Writing Can be Individual, Team-, or Community-Based Stop 9: Interpretive Frameworks Leverage the Power of Community for Interpretation Stop 10: To Be with or Not to Be with AI Theme Writing Generators, That Is the Question Field Notes Suggested Answers to Exercises Verbs for Stronger Themes and More Engaging Commentaries Field Inventory of Strong Themes in this Field Guide Themes of Best-selling Novels of All Time Interpretive Theme Writer’s Worksheet Critique of Themes from Real Webinar Participants Oh, My Box! Field Guidelines for Interpretive Theme Writing References Quote Sources Glossary Index Voices from the Field 1 Floating the Tigris: Harnessing the Light of Thematic Interpretation by Shelton Johnson 2 Crafting Themes Guided by Indigenous and Traditional Culturales by Kylie Christian and Leanne Redpath 3 Voices from the Field by Thorsten Ludwig 4 I Want to Create Brilliant Big Ideas and Compelling Themes but… by Judy Fort Brenneman 5 A Grand Theme Doesn’t Ensure a Great Program—or Even a Good One by Don Enright 6 Themes Contribute to Traveler Transformation atop Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs by Colby Brokvist 7 Thematic Zone of Tolerance in a Theater Setting by Angela Pfenniger 8 Tablets of Stone or Statements of Accord by Michael Hamish Glen 9 Colombia Is the First Country to Adopt the Interpretive Framework by Clara Osorio and Carlos Rosero 10 Theme Writing: A Trail that Never Ends by Ted Cable Theme Spotlights Theme Spotlight Pre-Tour Warmup. Message vs. Theme Theme Spotlight Natural-Cultural History of the Second Edition: Why Evolution Permeates this Field Guide Theme Spotlight Trailhead: Themes of Themes Theme Spotlight 2.1: Secondary Themes vs. Sub-Themes Theme Spotlight 3.1. Theme = Object + Big Idea Theme Spotlight 3.2. Big Idea vs. Interpretive Theme Theme Spotlight 4.1. Connecting Unlike Points to Cast New Light Theme Spotlight 4.2. Themes Should Present an Argument Theme Spotlight 5.1. Can a Theme Have More than One Sentence? Theme Spotlight 5.2. Transformative Themes Tap Deep Truths Theme Spotlight 5.3. Adding Humanity to Non-Human Phenomena Theme Spotlight 8.1. All Three Levels Can Interact Theme Spotlight 9.1. Historical Scan Supports Theme Identification

ISBN:

9798881845780

OCLC:

1587321840