Theme in the Daily Press

Abstract

A detailed analysis of theme across three written discourse genres is presented. The genres examined were new report, analytical exposition (editorial), & hortatory exposition (letter of complaint). All data were drawn at random from the London Times & the Guardian. Quantitative & qualitative analyses of theme were conducted in an attempt to justify representation of the three genres as distinct. Focus of the analysis was on thematic selection & distribution. Factors including lexical density, grammatical complexity & markedness, transitivity, & the occurrence of interpersonal & textual themes were examined. A tentative analysis of the relationship between theme & cohesive harmony is outlined. Pedagogical applications of the study of thematic selection are noted. B. Annesser Murray.