How do I discuss a theme in one of my texts - e.g. To Kill a Mockingbird

To effectively discuss a theme you should analyse how the author has created this theme within the book, going from large to small. Start by talking about an event that may have occurred, then move on to characterisation, scenery and symbolism. After you have analysed how the author has created a specific theme, discuss how this fits in within the context of the text and what was happening relative to that theme at the time the text was written. For example, if you are discussing the theme of prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird, you could begin by analysing the display of racial segregation throughout the book. Following this you could focus perhaps on the trial scene, and move in closer to analyse the specific language and setting used by Harper Lee to highlight the theme. It would then be good to put this in context and discuss how the text was written right before the peak of the American Civil Rights Movement.