THEME CHOICES

TEXTUAL METAFUNCTION:
experiential and interpersonal meaning into a linear and coherent whole
The textual Metafunction creates Grammar resources to organize our

discourse

Clause divided into:

THEME RHEME

Theme
Early last year, we bought a cat.

The first part of the clause forms the theme and shows the direction that the text is going

Rheme
Early last year, we bought a cat.

The rheme is what remains of the clause and may add new information.

In a clause, the theme always comes first and shows the starting point of the message. The end of the clause, where new inform is located is called the rheme.

Theme
Our old dog, His back paw But he When he He But his paw It He And (he)

Rheme
Rufus,limped into the room. was red with infection, forgot all about it was distracted by the snarling cat. began to chase her prevented him. was throbbing painfully. whimpered turned to sam for comfort and attention.

THEME RHEME:
starting point: what the clause is going to be about
RHEME: what comes after the theme

THEME: the point of departure /

new information about the point of departure ( theme)

IDENTIFICATION OF THEME AND RHEME:

The identification is based in order:
Theme is what comes 1st in the clause

Rheme is everything that is not the theme

Theme: the first topical element in the clause

Every clause must contain one and only

one topical theme

Types of themes: Topical

An element of the clause to which a transitivity function can be assigned
Actor, behaver, senser or circumstance

Every clause must contain one and only one topical theme
Once you have identified the topical theme in a

clause, you can consign all the remaining clause constituents to the Rheme role. Participant, process or circumstance

Types of themes: Interpersonal

When a constituent to which we would assign a mood function Constituents that can function as interpersonal themes:
Finite ( unfused) Do you Can you Mood adjuncts: I think Maybe Just Vocative adjuncts: Simon, isn't that Stephen, do you.. Polarity adjuncts: Yes / No Comment adjuncts: Fortunately Luckily

All these are part of the theme if they occur before the first topical element

TYPES OF THEME: TEXTUAL

These are elements which do not express any interpersonal or experiential meaning, but which are doing important cohesive work in relating the clause to its context
Two main types:
Continuative adjuncts:

Oh, no, well, yea Conjunctive adjuncts: And, but, however, because, therefore, so

At the zoo we saw cheetahs, deer and many kinds of birds. We visited the tigers and then the island where the monkeys live. Julian didnt want to see the spider monkeys because he hates spiders. Dad bought some drinks at the kiosk but no one was thirsty. It was late, so we had to decide whether to see the elephants or lemurs. I walked over to the lake and Kari rode a bike along the path. We were sad when it was time to leave. I think we saw everything except for the black rhinoceros.

At the zoo we saw cheetahs, deer and many kinds of birds. We visited the tigers and then the island where the monkeys live. Julian didnt want to see the spider monkeys because he hates spiders. Dad bought some drinks at the kiosk but no one was thirsty. It was late, so we had to decide whether to see the elephants or lemurs. I walked over to the lake and Kari rode a bike along the path. We were sad when it was time to leave. I think we saw everything except for the black rhinoceros.

CHOICES OF THEME:
Choices of type of theme Choices of marked or unmarked themes Choices of predicated or unpredicated themes

UNMARKED VS. MARKED

Unmarked: most typical / usual Marked: atypical / unusual
Unmarked:

Subject ( in a declarative clause) Finite ( in an interrogative) Predicator ( in an imperative) Wh element ( in a wh interrogative)

Marked: when the theme conflates with any other constituent from the

mood system. Adjunct: circumstantial . In Switzerland, they give you a cognac Here, they give you tea

PREDICATED THEMES: Examples

Examples:

Recount
On Tuesday, 4H went to Taronga Zoo. The first animals we spent we spent time with were the chimpanzees. One baby chimp put on a great show for us, turning somersaults and running around annoying all the other chimps. After that, we wandered around looking at animals, such as giraffes and the elephants. While we watched the seal show, we ate lunch. Australian fur seals are very clever. We enjoyed learning about their habits and way of life. During the afternoon we worked in groups sketching drawings of some of the animals and taking photos of some of the signs and notices. When we finally got on the bus to go home we were really tired but we had a great day and we were impressed by the quality of the animal enclosures, the friendliness of the staff and the cleanliness of the entire facility.

Recount
On Tuesday, 4H went to Taronga Zoo. The first animals we spent we spent time with were the chimpanzees. One baby chimp put on a great show for us, turning somersaults and running around annoying all the other chimps. After that, we wandered around looking at animals, such as giraffes and the elephants. While we watched the seal show, we ate lunch. Australian fur seals are very clever. We enjoyed learning about their habits and way of life. During the afternoon we worked in groups sketching drawings of some of the animals and taking photos of some of the signs and notices. When we finally got on the bus to go home we were really tired but we had a great day and we were impressed by the quality of the animal enclosures, the friendliness of the staff and the cleanliness of the entire facility.

Exposition
Australian beaches are among the most beautiful beaches in the world. The glorious stretches of soft, white sand and crystal clear ocean water lead many people to believe that Australians, are indeed, living in a lucky country. Yet this lucky country will not be able to live up to its nickname if its inhabitants dont start looking after it more responsibly.

The first thing to do is to discontinue sewage outfalls. Sewage outfalls upset many people who believe that it is disgraceful to discharge human sewage into oceans.
Secondly, stiffer penalties must be imposed on polluters. Rubbish left behind by beach-goers finds its way into the ocean to harm or kill ocean creatures and bird life. People need to be educated to the harm caused by litter. Australians must work together to preserve their lucky country so that future generations will be able to appreciate and admire its beauty.

Exposition
Australian beaches are among the most beautiful beaches in the world. The glorious stretches of soft, white sand and crystal clear ocean water lead many people to believe that Australians, are indeed, living in a lucky country. Yet this lucky country will not be able to live up to its nickname if its inhabitants dont start looking after it more responsibly.

The first thing to do is to discontinue sewage outfalls. Sewage outfalls upset many people who believe that it is disgraceful to discharge human sewage into oceans.
Secondly, stiffer penalties must be imposed on polluters. Rubbish left behind by beach-goers finds its way into the ocean to harm or kill ocean creatures and bird life. People need to be educated to the harm caused by litter. Australians must work together to preserve their lucky country so that future generations will be able to appreciate and admire its beauty.

Report
Camouflage Many animals are disguised to blend in with their surroundings. They use the Colour, shape or texture of objects in their surroundings to make them appear invisible. Some animals mimic other animals or things. The ability to blend in with the surroundings is called camouflage.

Some animals rely on colour for camouflage. Animals such as green tree frogs use colour to conceal themselves from predators. The green tree snake uses colour to conceal it from prey.
Some animals use shape as camouflage. Stick insects resemble sticks and twigs. Leaf insects resemble leaves. The snowshoe hare changes colour in winter. Its winter coat matches the white of snow. It is of great benefit to an animal to be camouflaged.

Report
Camouflage Many animals are disguised to blend in with their surroundings. They use the Colour, shape or texture of objects in their surroundings to make them appear invisible. Some animals mimic other animals or things. The ability to blend in with the surroundings is called camouflage.

Some animals rely on colour for camouflage. Animals such as green tree frogs use colour to conceal themselves from predators. The green tree snake uses colour to conceal it from prey.
Some animals use shape as camouflage. Stick insects resemble sticks and twigs. Leaf insects resemble leaves. The snowshoe hare changes colour in winter. Its winter coat matches the white of snow. It is of great benefit to an animal to be camouflaged.