Textual meaning

Textual meaning THEME CHOICES

TEXTUAL METAFUNCTION: Grammar resources to organize our

experiential and interpersonal meaning into a linear and coherent

wholeThe textual Metafunction creates

discourse Clause divided into:

THEME – RHEME

Theme

The first part of the clause forms the theme and shows the direction

that the text is going

Early last year, we

bought a cat.

Rheme

The rheme is what remains

of the clause and may add new information.

Early last year, we

bought a cat.

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 RhemeOur old dog, Rufus,limped into the room.His back paw was red with infection,

But he forgot all about itWhen he was distracted by the snarling

cat.He began to chase her

But his paw prevented him.It was throbbing painfully.He whimpered

And (he) turned to sam for comfort and attention.

THEME – RHEME:THEME: the point of

departure / starting point: what the clause is going to be

about RHEME: what comes after

the theme – 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: TopicalAn 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 functionConstituents 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…

Examples of textual

element in a text

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 didn’t 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 didn’t 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. MARKEDUnmarked: 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: ExamplesExamples:

Examples

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.

Recount

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 don’t 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 don’t 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

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.

Report