THEME & RHEME

Theme and rheme

help us understand
how information is
conveyed in clauses
Writers use Theme and
rheme to highlight
information
Writers put the Theme
first and this orients
the reader to what is
about to be
communicated
The rest of the clause
tells the reader
something about the
Theme and this 'rest
of the clause' is called
the rheme
 New information,
which is the focus of
the message, usually
comes at the end of
the clause or
sentence
 Writers usually begin
sentences by referring to
information known by the
reader ('given information',
which is not always exactly
the same as the Theme) and
then add the new information
 The rheme in one
sentence frequently
becomes the Theme
in the following
sentence
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE
CLAUSE AS A MESSAGE
 THEME RHEME
(Unmarked) The lion chased the unicorn all around the town.

All around the town the lion chased the unicorn.

By the lion the unicorn was chased all around the town.
(Unmarked) The unicorn was chased all around the town by the lion.

DECLARATIVE
The boy lost his notebook.
The cup was smashed to pieces.

EXCLAMATIVE
How lovely you look
What a bizarre outfit that is!
How silly he is!
INTERROGATIVE: YES/ NO QUESTIONS
Who left the cat out?
What are we having for dinner?
 THEME RHEME
INTERROGATIVE: YES/ NO QUESTIONS
Who left the cat out?
What are we having for dinner?
OTHER CASES
Theme
Rheme
Textual Topical
All children want to have a good teacher
A good teacher must be fair and reasonable.
He or she must work at a sensible pace.
The pace should be determined by the ability of the children.
So the children can all follow the lessons.
If the children have worked hard during the week.
There should be some fun activities.
That is what I think a good teacher should be like.
• Theme 1 Rheme 1
• Theme 2 Rheme 2

• Theme 2 Rheme 3
• Theme 3 Rheme 4
• Theme 4 Rheme 5

• Theme 4 Rheme 6
• Theme 5 Rheme 7
• Theme 6 Rheme 8
 Theme in declarative sentences

Unmarked (Theme = Subject):

• The two Indians stood waiting.
• Nick and his father went into the stern of the boat.
• The Indian who was rowing them was working very
hard.
• But I will have some photographs taken.
• Oh, you’re a great man.
• No, I think it’s pretty easy.
• There was no need of that.
• Of course it’s an accident.
 Theme in declarative sentences
Marked (Theme ¹Subject):
• Across the bay they found the other boat.
• In February 1979 he was awarded the George Cross
posthumously.
• And when you get down there you find he hasn’t
actually got any.
• Inside him was rising an urge to do something, take
some action.
• That I don’t know.
• What she had felt he never knew.
• Most troubling of all to some social scientists is
the message men get that being a good father
means learning how to mother.