Pitch Dictionary by pitch.dog
Genre, tone, theme & meaning · Working

Theme

Also called: thematic concern

ELI5

The larger idea or question the story keeps exploring.

Used in conversation

“The theme should emerge through choices, not a speech explaining it.”

Definition

An underlying idea, question or conflict explored through story, character and form.

Here “Theme” means: An underlying idea, question or conflict explored through story, character and form. Other meanings are stored as separate sense entries and must be chosen explicitly.

Pitch context

Use this when explaining how the story works on the page or across the finished screen experience.

Why it matters: Helps describe how a story works on the page and how its dramatic parts fit together.

Connected terms

  • TopicA topic is what the work is about on the surface; theme is the idea or question the work develops through that material.
  • Theme musicThe search label “Theme” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 6

Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.