How To Write Themes In A Novel...Without Being Preachy

Themes are the underlying ideas that give a story its depth, relevance, and resonance, helping readers connect with the material on an intellectual and emotional level. Obviously this is a fundamental part of a literary novel, but themes appear in every kind of novel, in every genre, often to excellent effect. But sometimes themes can come across as heavy-handed or preachy, making the reader feel as though they are being lectured rather than engaged in a story.

So, how can a writer incorporate meaningful themes into their novel without crossing into preachiness?

Trust Your Readers to Interpret the Theme

One of the fundamental ways to avoid being preachy is to trust your readers to engage with the themes of your story without overt guidance. Readers are often adept at interpreting the underlying messages of a narrative, especially if the writing is subtle and layered. By avoiding overtly didactic or moralizing statements, you allow your audience to come to their own conclusions.

Example: Instead of explicitly stating the moral lesson of your novel (e.g., “greed always leads to ruin”), show the consequences of greed through the characters’ actions and their eventual downfall. Let the reader form the moral themselves, based on the events of the story, rather than telling them outright.

The beauty of fiction lies in its ability to allow for multiple interpretations. By not over-explaining your themes, you create space for readers to discover meaning in the story based on their own experiences and perspectives.

Use Theme to Enhance Character Development

Themes can be incorporated naturally into your novel when they are reflected in your characters’ growth and struggles. Characters are often the vehicle through which a theme is explored, and their development can be a subtle and powerful way to communicate larger ideas.

For instance, if your theme is about the corrupting nature of power, you could craft a character who starts with noble intentions but gradually succumbs to the temptations of authority. Rather than explaining the theme directly, the reader sees it unfold in the character’s actions, relationships, and decisions. This not only conveys the theme in an organic way but also allows readers to become emotionally invested in the character’s journey.

Example: In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the theme of power and its ability to corrupt is explored through the transformation of the pigs, particularly Napoleon. The reader doesn’t need to be told explicitly that power corrupts; it’s evident through Napoleon’s actions and the way he manipulates those around him.

NOTE: This does not mean that you can never have characters state what the theme is. In fact, it can be very useful to have just such a thing, because it can encapsulate the ideas of the novel quickly and so clarify them in the reader’s mind. Just don’t do it too much, and don’t tell the reader what to think.

And So…Show, Don’t Tell

One of the most effective techniques for avoiding preachiness in thematic writing is the principle of “show, don’t tell.” Instead of telling the reader what to think about a particular theme, show them through actions, dialogue, and symbolism. By demonstrating the theme in the context of the story and the actions and emotions of the character, you allow the reader to experience it, rather than being told how to feel or think.

Example: Rather than stating outright that “war is wrong,” show characters dealing with the horrors of war—the emotional trauma, the devastation of families, the disillusionment with heroism. The reader will pick up on the theme without being directly told, and the emotional weight of the experiences will give the theme more power.

This approach not only avoids preachiness but also makes the theme feel more authentic and integrated into the story. It allows the theme to emerge naturally from the narrative rather than being imposed from the outside.

Let the Theme Emerge from Conflict

Conflict is the heart of any novel. Whether internal or external, the conflict forces characters to confront challenges that shape their beliefs, values, and choices. By aligning the central conflict of the story with your theme, you can integrate the theme without it feeling forced or preachy.

For instance, if the theme of your novel revolves around the idea of forgiveness, you can create a conflict where characters are forced to confront past wrongs. The journey toward resolving that conflict will allow the theme of forgiveness to emerge through the characters’ actions and decisions, without the need for an explicit moral statement.

Make It Personal And So Make It Universal

By showing how a theme affects individuals on a personal level—through their relationships, struggles, and growth—you create a more emotional connection between the reader and the theme. The abstract becomes personal.

For example, rather than writing a novel solely about the theme of social justice, show how one character’s fight for equality affects their marriage. Their commitment to social justice is so strong, they have damaged their own internal world. This personal, human element will allow the thematic and moral to emerge subtly without overt commentary that might bore or frustrate the reader. We see how much the subject matters, just through how much they give up for it.

Use Symbolism and Motifs

Another subtle way to convey themes without being preachy is through the use of symbolism and recurring motifs. Symbols—objects, characters, or settings that represent larger ideas—can enrich a story and subtly reinforce the theme without the need for overt exposition.

For example, in a novel about environmental destruction, you might use the image of a dying tree or a polluted river as a symbol of the broader environmental theme. Instead of directly stating that the environment is in peril, these symbols allow the reader to draw connections between the plot and the theme.

The key with symbolism is to allow the meaning to emerge naturally, without hitting the reader over the head with it. By using symbols or motifs that are subtly linked to your theme, you can communicate powerful ideas without being heavy-handed.

Avoid Over-Explaining, Don’t Be Preachy!

One of the quickest ways to turn a well-intentioned theme into something preachy is to over-explain it. If you spend too much time spelling out the meaning behind your theme or repeating the same idea over and over, you risk alienating the reader and diminishing the impact of the theme.

Instead of repeatedly reinforcing the message, allow the theme to emerge gradually over the course of the novel. The reader will pick up on it naturally, and the theme will have more resonance when it’s not explicitly spelled out.

Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird, the theme of racial injustice is woven throughout the novel, but Harper Lee never gives a moral lecture on the subject. The theme is conveyed through the characters' experiences and the events of the trial, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions about the nature of prejudice and justice.

Remember The Power of Humor And Irony

Using a tone that is light, humorous, or satirical is a brilliant way to examine themes without becoming preachy. A satirical novel might critique societal norms through exaggerated characters and absurd situations, allowing the reader to laugh and enjoy the story while understanding the message through a grotesque portrayal of the world. Alternatively, use characters to say things apparently sincerely which are terrible, outrageous, even offensive, so that we can see how they see the world is actually immoral or harmful.

Example: In Catch-22, Joseph Heller uses dark humor and absurdity to convey themes of war, bureaucracy, and the futility of conflict. The themes are never overtly preached, but rather emerge through the characters’ increasingly ridiculous situations.

Understanding the tone and context of your novel helps you decide how best to incorporate your themes. The key is to maintain consistency and avoid jarring shifts that might feel preachy or out of place.

How To Write A Novel Chapter By Chapter available here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Novel-Chapter-Outlining-ebook/dp/B0DJ8TMVWL?ref_=ast_author_mpb

You can also check out our other services, Mentoring and Manuscript Review, on the links above.