Talking themes : the thematic structure of talk

• Main Author: Leong, Ping Alvin
• Other Authors: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication::Communication theories and models
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/100677; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/17898
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper examines the thematic structure and progression of an extract of a spontaneous conversation using the inference-boundary model (an amended version of the Hallidayan theme-rheme framework) and the thematic progression framework of Daneš. This paper argues that equal attention should be paid to both thematic and rhematic progression. Insofar as rheme carries the body of the message, it would be tremendously helpful for us to gain an understanding of the patterned behaviour of the rhematic element and how theme and rheme together shape the message in the unfolding discourse. The paper also examines the different patterns of theme-rheme development in the extract. The boxed, gapped, holistic, and multiple developments, including their variant forms, are presented and discussed.