Analysis Of Cf Marked Theme In Journalistic Style

Genre analysis has been one of the most interesting topics for contemporary linguistics. In recent years, an increasing number of linguists are beginning to recognize that discourse description has to take into consideration such elements as the social and cultural context in which language is used as well as the effect of language community. It is by doing so that the correct delineation of linguistic application can be made. Among the many linguistic means of shaping genre, thematic selection is considered to be one of the most important. With the application of the Theme theory proposed by Halliday and the concept of CF marked Theme advocated by Davies, this thesis attempts to probe into the features of the Contextual Frame of marked Theme in journalistic style. Contrastive analysis was made to disclose the discrepancy in the selection of marked Theme, and to analyze the density and distribution of marked Theme in this style.A brief account of the concept of Theme was given in the theoretical part of the thesis, which is followed by the difference and similarities between thematic structure, Theme and subject, Theme and topic. The paper then reviewed the categorization of marked and unmarked Theme based on Halliday's observation of different moods. Illustration was also given concerning the application and development of markedness in phonology, semantics, typology and pragmatics.With reference to the nine categories on marked Theme stated by Davies, quantitative analysis was made about the utilization of CF marked Theme in journalistic writing on the following aspects:(1) the density and distribution of CF marked Theme in English and Chinese journalistic articles; (2) the disparity of CF marked Theme between Chinese and English journalistic articles; (3) the distribution of CF marked Theme in the subcategories of journalistic style; (4) the utilization of CF marked Theme in English news and editorials; (5) the use of CF marked Theme in journalistic and academic articlesIn order to explore how the Theme selection correlates with specific genre in journalistic style, the paper analyzed the distribution of CF marked Theme in different textual units which were categorized by Davies as Interactive, Organizational and Topical text-types. Theme selection is considered as one of the means to identify textual units which are constituents of genre and signal the progression of the texts. Therefore it is possible to conduct research on the relation between thematic choice and genre through the analysis of CF marked Theme distributed in different textual types. The research materials covered editorials, letters to the editor, sports news and travel news. In addition, contrastive analysis was also made between academic articles and journalistic articles in terms of the use of CF marked Theme.It is hoped that the findings of the research will benefit the students by offering them some insight into the genre and textual organization from a top-down perspective and help them to develop their reading and writing skills. In addition, the research is expected to provide the language teachers with some pedagogical enlightenment.