Thematic Structure And Discourse Analysis

This thesis is theoretically based upon Systemic Functional Grammar. Without it, it is impossible for the thesis to be produced. The thesis first illustrates and discusses in detail thematic structure and then probes into its roles in discourse analysis. The thesis is composed of three chapters, besides an introduction and a conclusion.Introduction mainly deals with a very brief introduction to Systemic Functional Grammar, what is thematic structure and what is discourse analysis, as well as the purpose of writing this thesis.Chapter One reviews first Halliday's proposal of Theme analysis including the definition and classification of Theme, and then Halliday's view of Theme in independent clauses, clause complexes, dependent clauses, embedded clauses, minor and elliptical clauses, and at the end of the chapter makes a detailed discussion on some problems in Halliday's Theme analysis such as the identification of Theme in existential clauses (there + be + x), and predicated Themes. The author also argues against Halliday's analysis of Theme markedness in WH-interrogatives.Chapter Two first revisits information structure, points out the differences and similarities between information structure and thematic structure and then makes a detailed analysis of the information within the thematic structure and draws a conclusion different from what Mathesius, Halliday, and Quirk et al argue. In this thesis, the information in Theme is classified into four kinds: (1) Given, (2) Given + New, (3) New and (4) no information. As for the information located within the Rheme, the author argues that there are three possibilities: (1) Given, (2) Given + New and (3) New.Chapter Three discusses the functions of thematic structure in analyzing discourse. It is found that Theme, Rheme and TP (Thematic Progression) patterns all contribute to discourse analysis. In order to prove that the selection of TP patterns is influenced or determined by genre, the author undertakes a quantitative study at the end of this chapter.Conclusion makes a summary of this thesis and points out the helpfulness of the findings in this paper.