Basic Concepts
What is the theme in a sentence?
The part that shows what the sentence is about or presents known information.
Name the three main types of themes.
Topical, textual, and interpersonal.
Identify the theme in this sentence: The children were playing in the park.
The children.
What does the actual division of the sentence show?
How information is organized between known (theme) and new (rheme) parts.
What is the rheme in a sentence?
The part that gives new or important information about the theme.
What is a topical theme?
The first element in a clause that represents what the clause is about - participant, circumstance, or process.
Identify the rheme in this sentence: The sun was shining brightly
Was shining brightly.
What is a direct actual division?
When the theme comes first and the rheme follows.
Who developed the theory of actual division of the sentence?
J. Mathesius.
What is a marked topical theme?
When an element other than the subject (e.g., adverbial) begins the sentence for emphasis.
In “In the morning, I like to drink coffee,” what kind of theme is “In the morning”?
A marked topical theme (circumstantial).
What is an inverted actual division?
When the rheme comes first for emphasis.
What does the theme - rheme relationship create in a text?
Cohesion and communicative unity.
What is a textual theme used for?
To connect a clause to the larger text or discourse (e.g., using “however,” “therefore,” etc.).
In “However, we decided to stay,” what type of theme is “However”?
A textual theme (conjunctive adjunct).
Give an example of a sentence with inverted actual division.
Through the open window came the purr of an approaching motor car.
What is the difference between nominative division and actual division of the sentence?
Nominative division is grammatical (subject- predicate), while actual division is communicative (theme-rheme).
What is an interpersonal theme?
A theme that expresses the speaker’s attitude, judgement, or relationship with the listener (e.g., modal adjuncts, vocatives).
In “Frankly, I don’t care,” what type of theme is “Frankly”?
An interpersonal theme (comment adjunct).
Why is the actual division called “contextual”?
Because it depends on the context to determine which part is known or new to the listener.