A motif is a recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story. An example I noticed in the movie Hidden Figures (2016) was when child Katherine G. Johnson’s teacher handed her the chalk, and then later her boss handed her the chalk. Both times Katherine proved herself by solving a math problem on the blackboard. These scenes also ended with Katherine adjusting her glasses. The movie had other motifs as well, such as Dorothy Vaughan saying “attagirl” when she got some device to work.
I tend to do a few motifs without thinking about them. My goal is to improve my motifs by actively giving them the thought and planning they deserve.