Fat Tax

Task 12: Theme and Rheme

Theme and Rheme

Theme and rheme help us understand how information is conveyed in clauses. 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. Writers use Theme and rheme to highlight information. The rheme in one sentence frequently becomes the Theme in the following sentence.

For example:

New Zealand waters are overfished. This overfishing will have serious consequences...

Theme is useful in helping students understand how to organise information at the sentence level.

More on Theme and Rheme
Improving Text Flow in ESL Learner Compositions
Theme as Constraining Force

1. Instructions: Read both paragraphs below, without using a dictionary, and decide which one is easier to understand.
   
   The government wants to tax fast food and lower the cost of fruit and vegetables. The cost could be subsidised or the GST removed from fruit and vegetables. To discourage consumption, a tax could be placed on fast food high in fat and sugar.
   
   The government wants to tax fast food and lower the cost of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables could have the GST removed or be subsidised. Also, fast food which is high in fat and sugar could be taxed to discourage consumption.
   
   
2. Instructions: Can you think of any reasons why one is easier than the other to understand? What is different about the two paragraphs?
   
   To help you understand why one is easier to read, underline and mark the verbs and the subjects in the sentences below.
   
   The government wants to tax fast food and lower the cost of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables could have the GST removed or be subsidised. Also, fast food which is high in fat and sugar could be taxed to discourage consumption.
   
   
3. Instructions: After class discussion complete these sentences for the paragraph above.
   
   
   1. The first sentence is about _________________ (called the Theme) and they want to___________________________________________(called the Rheme)
      
      
   2. The second sentence is about ______________________ (the Theme) and the rest of the sentence is called the _______________.
      
      
   3. The subject of the third sentence is _____________________. This is called the ___________ and the rest of the sentence is the _______________.
      
      
   4. Highlight the Theme of each sentence.
      
      
   5. The given information in the second sentence is_____________________________
      
      
   6. These same words are found at the _________ of the first sentence. Circle them.
      
      
   7. The new information in the second sentence is ______________________________ and it is at the _______ of the sentence in Rheme position.
      
      
   8. The third sentence introduces a new idea. The Theme is _____________________ and the important new information at the end of the sentence is ________________
   
   
   
4. Instructions: Thinking about Theme and Rheme read the paragraph below.
   
   The general population needs to be made fully aware of the risks to health by eating foods high in fat and sugar. An excessive intake of these foods leads to obesity or overweight. This in turn is a risk factor for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and some forms of cancer.
   
   After class discussion:
   
   
   1. Underline the main verb and the subject in the sentence.
      
      
   2. Circle the words that 'these foods' refers to and draw an arrow to the circle.
      
      
   3. Circle the words that 'This in turn' refers to and draw an arrow to the circle.
      
      
   4. Highlight the Theme in each of the three sentences above.
      
      
   5. Complete the sentences below:
      
      
   6. The 'given' information in sentence two is ______________________
      
      
   7. The 'given' information in sentence three is ______________________ and the new information is ____________________________________________
      
      
   8. In English the given information usually comes at the _______________ of the sentence and is called the __________. The new or important information comes at the _________ of the sentence and is called the Rheme.
      
      
   9. Add two more sentences to the one below using Theme and Rheme.
      I have been learning about Theme.
      
      

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   10. Highlight the Theme in both of your sentences.

Teacher Information and Answers