In creative writing, it’s really important to know the difference between theme and subject matter. Both of these parts help make a story interesting, but they have different jobs. Understanding this difference can make your storytelling stronger and your readers’ experience much better.
Subject Matter is all about what the story is about. It includes the events, characters, settings, and situations in the story. You can think of it as the “what” of the story.
For example, imagine a story about a young girl who finds a hidden kingdom under the ocean. The subject matter would include the young girl, the hidden kingdom, the ocean, and the challenges she faces while exploring. Basically, it answers questions like: What happens in the story? Who are the characters? What problems do they encounter?
Theme, on the other hand, goes deeper. It looks at the bigger ideas or messages in the story. You can call it the “why.” In our story about the girl discovering the hidden kingdom, some themes could be about finding yourself, dealing with growing up, or how people relate to nature. The theme adds emotion and meaning, helping readers understand the characters’ choices and actions. A strong theme can make a story more than just entertainment; it can encourage readers to think about their own lives and the world around them.
While subject matter is often straightforward, themes can be more abstract and different readers might interpret them in various ways. Two writers could tell the same story but have very different themes. For example, one writer might focus on a story about a future where technology causes loneliness (subject matter) and explore feelings of sadness and losing humanity. Another writer might use the same setting to highlight hope and strength in tough times. This shows that subject matter can support many different themes.
In creative writing, when theme and subject matter work well together, they create a story that really grabs readers’ attention. Writers should make sure these parts connect to help strengthen their themes. When the subject matter matches the theme, it creates a more powerful story.
A classic example is “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The subject matter includes talking animals, magic, and a fight between good and evil. However, the themes dive deeper, covering ideas like sacrifice, redemption, and the victory of good over evil. C.S. Lewis uses the subject matter to share important lessons about life, showing how storytelling can be much richer when the theme connects with all parts of the story.
Writers can also improve their work by carefully building both subject matter and theme during the writing process. Here are some helpful tips:
Find the Main Theme First: Before creating the plot, writers can benefit from figuring out the main theme they want to share. This can guide their choice of subject matter.
Create Purposeful Characters: Each character should contribute to the theme, either by representing the theme’s message or by challenging it.
Use Symbols and Motifs: Writers can add symbols or repeating ideas that connect to the theme. For example, if they are writing about freedom, they might include birds or wide-open skies as symbols.
Set Up Conflict and Resolution: The problems that arise from the subject matter should reflect the themes, leading to a resolution that captures the story’s main message or feeling.
Engage the Readers: A good theme encourages readers to look deeper than just the surface of the story, inviting them to consider their own lives and society.
By using these tips, writers can better connect theme and subject matter, creating stories that build strong emotional connections and invite thoughtful discussions.
In summary, while theme and subject matter might seem similar in storytelling, they actually serve different purposes. Understanding the differences helps writers create richer and more meaningful stories. A captivating subject matter combined with a powerful theme can turn a simple story into a deep exploration of human experiences, inviting readers to join in a more rewarding emotional journey.
In creative writing, it’s really important to know the difference between theme and subject matter. Both of these parts help make a story interesting, but they have different jobs. Understanding this difference can make your storytelling stronger and your readers’ experience much better.
Subject Matter is all about what the story is about. It includes the events, characters, settings, and situations in the story. You can think of it as the “what” of the story.
For example, imagine a story about a young girl who finds a hidden kingdom under the ocean. The subject matter would include the young girl, the hidden kingdom, the ocean, and the challenges she faces while exploring. Basically, it answers questions like: What happens in the story? Who are the characters? What problems do they encounter?
Theme, on the other hand, goes deeper. It looks at the bigger ideas or messages in the story. You can call it the “why.” In our story about the girl discovering the hidden kingdom, some themes could be about finding yourself, dealing with growing up, or how people relate to nature. The theme adds emotion and meaning, helping readers understand the characters’ choices and actions. A strong theme can make a story more than just entertainment; it can encourage readers to think about their own lives and the world around them.
While subject matter is often straightforward, themes can be more abstract and different readers might interpret them in various ways. Two writers could tell the same story but have very different themes. For example, one writer might focus on a story about a future where technology causes loneliness (subject matter) and explore feelings of sadness and losing humanity. Another writer might use the same setting to highlight hope and strength in tough times. This shows that subject matter can support many different themes.
In creative writing, when theme and subject matter work well together, they create a story that really grabs readers’ attention. Writers should make sure these parts connect to help strengthen their themes. When the subject matter matches the theme, it creates a more powerful story.
A classic example is “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The subject matter includes talking animals, magic, and a fight between good and evil. However, the themes dive deeper, covering ideas like sacrifice, redemption, and the victory of good over evil. C.S. Lewis uses the subject matter to share important lessons about life, showing how storytelling can be much richer when the theme connects with all parts of the story.
Writers can also improve their work by carefully building both subject matter and theme during the writing process. Here are some helpful tips:
Find the Main Theme First: Before creating the plot, writers can benefit from figuring out the main theme they want to share. This can guide their choice of subject matter.
Create Purposeful Characters: Each character should contribute to the theme, either by representing the theme’s message or by challenging it.
Use Symbols and Motifs: Writers can add symbols or repeating ideas that connect to the theme. For example, if they are writing about freedom, they might include birds or wide-open skies as symbols.
Set Up Conflict and Resolution: The problems that arise from the subject matter should reflect the themes, leading to a resolution that captures the story’s main message or feeling.
Engage the Readers: A good theme encourages readers to look deeper than just the surface of the story, inviting them to consider their own lives and society.
By using these tips, writers can better connect theme and subject matter, creating stories that build strong emotional connections and invite thoughtful discussions.
In summary, while theme and subject matter might seem similar in storytelling, they actually serve different purposes. Understanding the differences helps writers create richer and more meaningful stories. A captivating subject matter combined with a powerful theme can turn a simple story into a deep exploration of human experiences, inviting readers to join in a more rewarding emotional journey.