Difference between Theme and Topic

By Jaxson

Main Difference

The theme is the central idea of things that contributes to take an absolute path and gives an individual nature to the process. On the other hand, a topic gets defined as such an issue that people discuss when writing something, debating and as part of a conversation.

Comparison Chart

Basis of DistinctionThemeTopic
DefinitionThe central idea of things that helps to take a particular path and gives an individual nature to the process.A topic gets defined as such an issue that people discuss when writing something, debating and as part of a conversation.
OriginOriginated from Old French and Latin term theme, it got modified into tithenai which means to set on place something, in French.Originated from the Latin and Greek words of topos and ta topika and they both suggest a location and matter of concern.
UsageThe theme becomes the way in which the main idea gets discussed.A topic becomes the main idea of a discussion.
Example The benefit of women rights is an example of the theme.Women rights are the topic example.

Theme

The theme is the central idea of things that helps to take an absolute path and gives an individual nature to the process. If we look at the things in a literary manner, then the subject in which someone speaks, or the one that becomes a topic of discussion, writing or exhibition gets the definition of a theme. A theme becomes part of many scenarios, such as music, where the music that occurs the most within a song becomes the theme. A restaurant that sets tables, chairs, has a menu and decoration per their requirement but gives them a distinct nature, has the same usage. The word originated from Old French and Latin term theme; it got modified into tithenai which means to set on place something, in French. Later, it entered the English language to get the current formation. If we use the term in a sentence, we see that the difference comes at various points when the definition differs. “Maybe because it had the same theme of wrought iron and ivory as the Hacienda – and maybe they had been visiting too long.” In this sentence, we see that the theme is the type of metal used within an engineering facility. Another sentence such as “Then came the work in college–original item writing with new ideas of composition or at least new methods of suggesting those ideas.” The way a college sets up their premises and do things based on the rules for students gets the same meaning but in a different context.

Topic

A topic gets defined as such an issue that people discuss when writing something, debating and as part of a conversation. The best way of explaining the term becomes a few synonyms such as subject, talking point, thesis, concept and keynote. The name originated from the Latin and Greek words of topos and ta topika, and they both mean a place and matter of concern. The name became common in the late 15th century and entered English. It may become related to the theme but differs in such a way that an argument may become the tone in which something speaks itself out, whereas the topic becomes the actual subject on which the theme changes. Another way of making the meaning clear is that in linguistics it gets known as the part of the sentence about which people talk, such as a person being referred by another, such as a phone being talked about and so on. If we want to know more about the term, then the usage of it in a few sentences may help. “I would love to write more and more about this topic, about how things will get better and cheaper in the future.” We see in this phrase that the thing that people want to write about is the main subject discussed. “Demea, who is willing to give up his abstract proof, brings forward the ordinary theological topic, man’s consciousness of his imperfection, misery and dependent condition.” The main subject here becomes the idea getting discussed in a meeting.

Key Differences

  • The theme is the central idea of things that helps to take an absolute path and gives a particular nature to the process. On the other hand, a topic gets defined as such an issue that people discuss when writing something, debating and as part of a conversation.
  • The word originated from Old French and Latin term theme; it got modified into tithenai which means to set on place something, in French. On the other hand, the term originated from the Latin and Greek words of topos and ta topika, and they both mean a place and matter of concern.
  • Sentence example of theme becomes; “Then came the work in college–original item writing with new ideas of composition or at least new methods of suggesting those ideas.” On the other hand, the sentence example of topic becomes; “Demea, who is willing to give up his abstract proof, brings forward the ordinary theological topic man’s consciousness of his imperfection, misery and dependent condition.”
  • A topic becomes the main idea of a discussion, on the other hand, the theme becomes the way in which the main idea gets discussed.
  • Women rights are the topic example, whereas the example of the theme in women rights will become the benefits of women rights.

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