salient theme

USAGE SUMMARY

'salient theme' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a key point or underlying message in a text or work of art. For example, "The moral of the story is a salient theme throughout the novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Reining in government growth was central to Reagan's 1980 campaign, and the desire to limit taxes and spending has continued to be a salient theme among Republican candidates.

The Economist

While it is tempting to reel off the plethora of depressing statistics provided in this report, it is perhaps better to reflect on the salient theme – Israel and the occupation.

The Guardian

The most salient theme relating to video corresponded to Teaching Presence: direct instruction.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Throughout the interview, the most salient theme was her feeling of alienation and isolation from society.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Moral boundary work centring on notions of a good worker in superior and subordinate roles was a salient theme in my ethnographic data.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

The second most salient theme pointed towards the Integration phase of Cognitive Presence (14 codes), where understanding was at a deeper and more applied level than that resulting from the videos.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Transcribed interviews were systematically analyzed to identify salient themes.

Contraception

Still, there is a raffish vigor that makes the movie watchable despite all-over-the-map storytelling and a fuzzy, superficial grasp of the salient themes.

The New York Times

Your discussion might touch on the juxtaposition of luxury and tragedy, the partnership between hubris and disaster, passengers' poise in the face of terror, or other salient themes.

The New York Times

"The structure, and even the salient themes of a thing often don't reveal themselves for me, till you've thrashed for quite some time," he wrote a few days later.

The New York Times

In the public arena — exemplified by the obsessions evident in his private letters — he pursued two salient themes: the historical imperatives of modern Zionism; and German culpability and its subset, the delusions of German Jews in their unrequited love affair.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "salient theme" to clearly identify the most important, noticeable, or significant recurring idea in a text, discussion, or situation.

Common error

While "salient theme" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overuse. Vary your language by using synonyms like "key theme" or "central idea" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "salient theme" functions as a noun phrase, where "salient" modifies "theme". It identifies the most important or noticeable recurring idea within a context. Ludwig examples show its common usage across various disciplines.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

36%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "salient theme" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that identifies the most important or noticeable recurring idea in a text, discussion, or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English to describe a key point or underlying message in a work of art. It is most frequently encountered in scientific and news media contexts and is considered formal. To avoid redundancy, consider using synonyms such as "key theme" or "central theme". Remember to use "salient theme" to bring clear focus to the most significant aspect of a topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key theme

Replaces "salient" with "key", indicating a central or essential theme.

central theme

Substitutes "salient" with "central", emphasizing the core or main theme.

prominent theme

Replaces "salient" with "prominent", highlighting a theme that is easily noticeable or important.

major theme

Uses "major" instead of "salient", indicating a theme of great significance.

primary theme

Replaces "salient" with "primary", suggesting the most important or fundamental theme.

principal theme

Substitutes "salient" with "principal", denoting the main or leading theme.

overarching theme

Emphasizes that the theme is comprehensive and covers many aspects.

dominant theme

Replaces "salient" with "dominant", stressing a theme that has a strong influence or presence.

recurring theme

Highlights that the theme appears repeatedly throughout the work.

underlying theme

Focuses on the theme that is present but not always explicitly stated.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "salient theme" in a sentence?

Use "salient theme" to highlight the most important or noticeable recurring idea. For example, "The author's critique of societal norms is a "salient theme" throughout the novel".

What are some alternatives to "salient theme"?

You can use alternatives like "key theme", "central theme", or "prominent theme" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "salient theme" formal or informal language?

"Salient theme" is generally considered formal. In more casual contexts, you might opt for simpler phrases like "main idea" or "big picture".

What is the difference between ""salient theme"" and "recurring theme"?

"Salient theme" emphasizes the importance and noticeability of the theme, while "recurring theme" simply highlights that the theme appears repeatedly. A theme can be recurring without being particularly salient, and vice versa.