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Overarching Themes

When we use the term "theme," we mean something that usually has multiple layers. A strong essay will never boil down to a statement as simple as the following: "My reason for pursuing law is X." That kind of theme would invite a repetitive structure that merely includes a series of paragraphs offering evidence for a single point. Instead, your theme should introduce complexities, as in the following: "While Experience A demonstrates my commitment to B Aspect of law, Experience C drives me toward Objective D."

There are essentially two ways to set forth your theme. The first is to bring it up in the introduction, usually at the end of the first paragraph. At this stage, since you haven't explored your concrete evidence, the theme should indicate subtly the direction the essay will take rather than try to tell the whole story.

The second approach is to ensure a strong flow between paragraphs, connecting each point with previous ones so the underlying theme gradually emerges. Then the conclusion wraps these individual themes together and includes some kind of encapsulation of the material that preceded it. Below we will use examples to illustrate these two tactics:

The Upfront Approach

The theme of this essay comes down to the following:

"Although I have lived in the United States for over a decade, I have managed to stay close to my Chinese roots through the use of language and travel to various Asian countries. Such a background has not only enriched my personal life, but is also proving to be more and more important in today's global environment."

These two sentences come at the end of the first paragraph and outline the ensuing material. The theme has two layers: first, the enriching nature of his international background and experiences, and second, the relevance of his multicultural perspective to the global environment. Because of this initial outlining, we have a framework within which to understand the experiences discussed in each subsequent paragraph, and we leave the essay with a clear, focused point.

The Gradual Approach

This essay opens with a discussion of the writer's disadvantaged background. At this early stage, there is no clear connection to law, and he does not try to force one, though he hints in the last sentence of the first paragraph that a relevant point will emerge. The writer then goes on to discuss separate experiences that are not directly related. In the conclusion, he synthesizes these disparate experiences with the following thematic recap:

"As a man who is 27 years old, I believe I would bring a maturity and seriousness of purpose to my legal studies that perhaps many younger applicants cannot offer. I have had experience in the world, I am aware of my capabilities, and I know with certainty what I want to do with the rest of my life. I have survived the mean streets of the inner city, and I have made my way in executive suites… I know how to relate to and communicate with many different types of people, and I am interested not only in the possibility of pro bono work in my old neighborhood but also in legally serving a full spectrum of clients."

We now understand that his point is about the mature perspective he has cultivated through a diverse range of experiences. He could have forced this point on the reader in the introduction, but it would have sounded too vague and general. On the other hand, providing this synthesis after a detailed discussion of specific experiences gives his point force and depth.

Whether you choose the Upfront or Gradual approach depends on the nature of your overarching theme and the substance it encompasses. When, as in the first example, there is a more defined framework that lends itself to succinct expression, you can provide more direction at the beginning and make a more focused point. But if your topic is broader and your ideas need to be developed before being tied together, then you should let them unfold naturally and save the integration for a nice, forceful ending. Whichever route you choose, make sure your theme is multi-layered and sophisticated. Any oversimplification would not do justice to your candidacy.

Organization

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