themes
Essays or subjects
Themes are the central ideas or subjects running through a work—the underlying meanings a story, film, or piece of music explores: The novel's themes include loss and redemption.
In computing, a theme is a preset visual style: I changed my phone's theme to dark mode.
Theme also works as a verb: a Vegas casino themed around ancient Egypt.
Mental formation
- conceptAbstract mental construct
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
- abstractionDistilling to essential qualities
- theoryExplanatory set of principles
thesis · premise · subject · topic · focus · essence · message · meaning
Recurring arrangement or template
- cycleRepeating sequence of events
- repetitionAct of redoing
- motifRecurring thematic element
- echoReflected sound wave
thread · continuity · recurrence · variation · refrain · constant · throughline · commonality
Recurring thematic element
- narrativeAccount of events
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- genreCategory of creative work
- characterizationDescribing distinctive qualities
setting · conflict · allegory · archetype · symbolism · metaphor · imagery · fable
Recurring arrangement or template
- designPurposeful creative planning
- tapestryDecorative woven wall cloth
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
ornamentation · motif · wallpaper · fabric · textile · damask · brocade · quilting
Short argumentative prose work
- thesisAcademic argument requiring defense
- dissertationExtended academic treatise
- curriculumEducational program's content plan
- courseworkStudent academic tasks
research · analysis · study · examination · exploration · central · supporting · main
Gathering for celebration
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
- birthdayAnnual date of origin
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- galaFestive formal occasion
prom · shower · banquet · fundraiser · masquerade · costume · seasonal · holiday
Pleasing sequence of notes
- leitmotifRecurring thematic phrase
- variationChange from a norm
- movementChange in position
- symphonyExtended composition for orchestra
concerto · sonata · opera · fugue · overture · reprise · coda · motif
Surface for mixing pigments
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
- brushstrokesMarks left by painting
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
- exhibitionPublic display of items
portrait · landscape · abstract · impressionism · surrealism · expressionism · modernism · series
idea
Mental formation
- conceptAbstract mental construct
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
- abstractionDistilling to essential qualities
theory · thesis · premise · subject · topic · focus · essence · message · meaning · subtext
pattern
Recurring arrangement or template
- cycleRepeating sequence of events
- repetitionAct of redoing
- motifRecurring thematic element
echo · thread · continuity · recurrence · variation · refrain · constant · throughline · commonality · parallel
motif
Recurring thematic element
characterization · setting · conflict · allegory · archetype · symbolism · metaphor · imagery · fable · mythology
pattern
Recurring arrangement or template
- designPurposeful creative planning
- tapestryDecorative woven wall cloth
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
embroidery · ornamentation · motif · wallpaper · fabric · textile · damask · brocade · quilting · stencil
essay
Short argumentative prose work
- thesisAcademic argument requiring defense
- dissertationExtended academic treatise
- curriculumEducational program's content plan
coursework · research · analysis · study · examination · exploration · central · supporting · main · underlying
party
Gathering for celebration
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
- birthdayAnnual date of origin
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
gala · prom · shower · banquet · fundraiser · masquerade · costume · seasonal · holiday · decor
melody
Pleasing sequence of notes
symphony · concerto · sonata · opera · fugue · overture · reprise · coda · motif · recurrence
palette
Surface for mixing pigments
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
- brushstrokesMarks left by painting
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
exhibition · portrait · landscape · abstract · impressionism · surrealism · expressionism · modernism · series · collection
- readingfluency, read, comprehension, readers, books
- subjects'topics, matters, issues, school subjects, math
- book clubreading, book discussion, discussion, shared reading, book picks
- event decorcenterpieces, centerpiece, floral arrangements, flower arrangements, table settings
- parade planningfloats, marching bands, grand marshal, route planning, permits
- storytimestorytime, bedtime story, story time, fairy tale, folktale
themesdetails
Specific pieces of information
specifics · particulars · facts · data points · minutiae
themestrivia
Unimportant miscellaneous facts
minutiae · incidentals · minor details · tangents · digressions
themessurface
Outermost boundary layer
literal meaning · explicit content · face value · plain text · denotation
- theme parkEntertainment destination with rides
- theme songProgram's recurring musical opener
- theme musicRecurring program melody
- theme tuneProgram's identifying melody
- moral themesValue-laden narrative elements
- dramatic themesCentral ideas in theater