Matter refers to the physical substance or material that makes up something. In the context of writing or communication, matter refers to the specific information, facts, or ideas that are being conveyed. It is the substance of what is being communicated.
Content, on the other hand, refers to the overall form and structure of the information being conveyed. Content includes not only the matter but also the way it is presented, organized, and expressed. It encompasses elements such as tone, style, formatting, and overall composition.
To illustrate the distinction, consider the following example:
Matter: The scientific theory of evolution explains how species change over time through natural selection.
Content: A well-written article provides a comprehensive overview of the theory of evolution, outlining its key concepts, historical development, supporting evidence, and ongoing debates. The article is structured with clear headings, subheadings, and logical flow, presenting the information in a clear and reader-friendly manner.
In this example, the matter refers to the specific information about the theory of evolution, while the content refers to the way this information is structured and presented in the article.