A Guide to Creating Compelling, Shareable Themes
Emotion is what makes content resonate and spread. People share what makes them feel deeply seen, excited, or moved. Each emotion has core themes that naturally trigger strong reactions. This guide explores those themes and how to use them in storytelling.
1. Awe & Inspiration
What Creates Awe?
Awe happens when something feels bigger than us—whether it’s a profound idea, an extraordinary achievement, or a realization that shifts how we see the world. It makes people pause, reflect, and often feel a mix of wonder and admiration.
Themes That Evoke Awe
- Transformation & Growth → A story of someone overcoming the impossible.
- The Unknown & Discovery → A new perspective that changes how we understand something.
- Human Resilience & Strength → Stories of perseverance that make us believe in potential.
- Life’s Bigger Picture → Moments that remind us of how vast and interconnected everything is.
Examples
- A moment where someone realizes how far they’ve come.
- A revelation that turns an old belief upside down.
- A story of someone achieving something against all odds.
2. Joy & Laughter
What Creates Joy?
Joy comes from moments of playfulness, lightness, and genuine delight. It’s infectious and makes people want to share the feeling with others.
Themes That Evoke Joy
- Unexpected Delight → Something small but surprisingly wonderful.
- Playfulness & Absurdity → A lighthearted look at everyday moments.
- Celebration of Simple Pleasures → Finding happiness in the ordinary.
- Connection & Togetherness → Moments of shared joy between people.
Examples
- A small, everyday win that feels bigger than it is.
- A realization that life is funnier than we make it out to be.
- A playful twist on something serious.
3. Surprise & Shock
What Creates Surprise?
Surprise happens when expectations are flipped, making people stop and rethink something. It creates curiosity, engagement, and often a desire to share the revelation.
Themes That Evoke Surprise
- Challenging Assumptions → Revealing that what we thought was true isn’t.
- Hidden Truths → Exposing something overlooked or unexpected.
- Unpredictable Outcomes → A sudden shift in direction.
- Unconventional Wisdom → A fresh perspective on an old idea.
Examples
- A fact that feels impossible but is true.
- A situation that starts one way but ends in an unexpected twist.
- A moment of sudden clarity about something we thought we understood.
4. Fear & Anxiety
What Creates Fear?
Fear isn’t just about danger—it’s about uncertainty, anticipation, and the things we can’t control. It draws people in because it reflects real worries.
Themes That Evoke Fear
- The Unknown & Uncertainty → Not knowing what happens next.
- Loss of Control → Facing something bigger than ourselves.
- What If…? → Imagining the worst possible scenario.
- The Mind’s Hidden Depths → The things we don’t like to admit we think about.
Examples
- A moment where someone realizes something unsettling.
- A question that lingers in the mind, unanswered.
- A truth that feels too real to ignore.
5. Anger & Frustration
What Creates Anger?
Anger comes from a sense of unfairness, injustice, or feeling unheard. It sparks discussion, passion, and a desire to take action.
Themes That Evoke Anger
- Injustice & Inequality → Calling out something that shouldn’t be the way it is.
- Breaking Free from Expectations → Challenging the status quo.
- Speaking the Unspoken → Saying what others are thinking but don’t say.
- Frustration with the System → Addressing common struggles that feel unfair.
Examples
- A moment of realization about something that has held people back.
- A feeling of wanting to change something but not knowing how.
- A truth that people don’t talk about but should.
6. Sentimentality & Nostalgia
What Creates Sentimentality?
Sentimentality is tied to memory, reflection, and the passage of time. It makes people feel deeply connected to a past experience or a part of themselves.
Themes That Evoke Sentimentality
- Looking Back at Growth → Remembering where we started.
- What We Took for Granted → Appreciating something only after it’s gone.
- Letters to the Past → What we would say to our younger selves.
- Moments That Felt Like Forever → Times that we wish we could hold onto.
Examples
- A realization about how time has changed someone.
- A reflection on something small that once meant everything.
- A moment of wishing to relive something, even just for a second.
How to Apply This
- Choose an emotion → What do you want people to feel?
- Pick a theme → Which themes naturally trigger that emotion?
- Tell a story → Find a way to create a moment that makes the feeling real.
