thematic structure of the profile articles...
TRANSCRIPT
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THEMATIC STRUCTURE OF THE PROFILE ARTICLES
IN HELLO MAGAZINE
Sri Wulan
Magister Sastra Student
Islamic University of North Sumatra, Medan
Abstract
This article is a research report on the textual analysis of profile
articles in “Hello Magazine”. The analysis is based on the
theory of Systemic Functional Grammar pioneered by Halliday
(1994) which postulates that in the Textual Function of language
clauses are observed as a message, thereby involving their
thematic structures which consist of two elements: Theme and
Rheme. This research was conducted by using descriptive design
with quantitative approach. The findings show that all types of
Theme are used in the four profile articles of “Hello Magazine”,
but not all elements of Theme are found in those articles. Then,
the most dominant Theme is ideational (Topical), and the
element of Theme which is most frequently used is nominal
group, whereas Vocative is the only element of theme which is
not found in the articles. Thus, it can be concluded that most of
the clauses in the articles are declarative in nature.
Keywords: Textual Function, Thematic Structure, Theme, Rheme
I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
In Systematic Functional Grammar (SFG) pioneered by Halliday (1994) there
are three functions of language: Ideational, Interpersonal, and Textual Functions.
Ideational function shows that language is used to organize, understand, and express
the speakers’ perceptions of the world and of their own consciousness. Interpersonal
Function describes that language is used to enable the speakers to participate in
communication acts with other people by taking the roles and expressing feelings,
attitudes, and judgments. And, Textual Function explains that language is used to
relate what is said or written to the real world and to other linguistic events.
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In thematic structure, each clause has the character of message, and in a stream
of message it is related either to the preceding or following discourse or to the context.
A message comes from somewhere and leads to somewhere else. Therefore, there are
two elements in thematic structure: Theme and Rheme. Theme represents the point of
departure of the message from the previous one. Rheme is that rest of the clause. New
information is typically contained in the Rheme.
Further, theme is what the clause is going to be about. Theme represents ‘this is
what I am talking about’. A simple explanation of theme in English is to think of it as
the idea represented by the constituent at the starting point of the clause (Bloor, 1995:
72). Rheme is ‘This is what I am saying about the Theme’. The Rheme adds new
information to the Theme. The interaction of Theme and Rheme governs how the
information in a context develops.
Each clause has a message which may be made in a conversation or an article.
It means that each clause begins with a realization of Theme, and is followed by the
realization of Rheme. Thus, this article will analyze both realizations in the profile
articles of Hello Magazine.
Hello Magazine is one of the English Magazine in Indonesia which is monthly
published. It consists of various kinds of subjects such as articles, short stories, poems,
etc. Besides, it constitutes a medium of communication which always gives various
messages.
1.2 Problems
In relation to the background, the problems of this research are formulated in
the followings:
1. What types of Theme are found in the profile articles?
2. What is the most dominant Theme used in the profile articles?
3. Which element of Theme is used most frequently in the profile articles?
1.3 Objectives
This research is aimed at analyzing the types of theme in the profile articles of
Hello Magazine, and the objectives are stated as follows:
1. To describe the types of Theme in the profile articles.
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2. To find out the most dominant Theme used in the articles.
3. And, to find out the element of Theme which is most dominantly used.
1.4 Scope
This article concerns about the types of Theme found in the profile articles of
Hello Magazine. The analysis is based on Hallidayan theory, that is a multiple Theme
in which a clause can have many or none of the types of Theme. According to
Halliday (1994: 52-53), Theme can be divided into three types: Ideational (topical),
Textual, and Interpersonal Themes. Each of these types consists of several elements.
Ideational (Topical) Theme reveals nominal group, nominal embedded clause,
adverbial group, prepositional phrase, and complement. Textual Theme consists of
Conjunction (structural), conjunctive adjunct, continuative, and relative. And,
Interpersonal Theme covers modal adjunct, vocative, auxiliary (finite) and wh-
element.
This research shows the number of Theme found in the profile articles, and also
counts the percentage of the types of Theme by using percentage formula. Through
this research, the findings show that all types of Theme with various elements are used
in the articles.
1.5 Significance of the Research
This research report is significant as it is useful for those who are interested to
improve their knowledge about thematic structure. It is also expected that this article
may motivate other researchers to conduct some researches on the same subject with
different objects and to motivate readers to read English texts. The object of this
research is an English magazine as most people prefer to read magazines to scientific
books. Therefore, this research may provide more interesting material in researching
thematic structure.
Besides, this research may help teachers to explain thematic structure, as a lot
of examples of Theme variations can be taken to give further explanation about the
types of Theme.
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II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
2.1 Thematic Structure
In the textual function of language, clauses are observed as a message, thereby
involving thematic structure which consists of two elements Theme and Rheme.
Theme is an element which precedes the clause. This represents what the clause is
going to be about and the element which ends the clause is rheme.
Halliday (1994 : 37) explains that the theme is the element which serves as the
point of departure of the messages; the reminder of the message is called rheme.
To sum up, as a message structure, a clause may consist of Theme, which tells
about where the clause is coming from, and Rheme, which contains new information
of the clause. The interaction of Theme and Rheme governs how the information in a
context develops.
2.2 Types of Theme
Various elements can occupy thematic position, and then they may not exhaust
the thematic potential of the clause. For example, a continuative may precede a
conjunctive, and the conjunctive occurs before a finite; while, the finite comes before a
subject. All of those elements are thematic. In this case, we can call these occurrences
as the structure of a multiple theme. (Halliday, 1994 : 52-53).
From the above description, Halliday classifies theme into three categories:
ideational (topical), textual and interpersonal themes. Each of these themes contains
various elements. Ideational theme reveals nominal group, nominal embedded clause,
adverbial group, prepositional phrase, and complement. Textual theme consists of
conjunction (structural), conjunctive adjunct, continuative, and relative. And,
interpersonal theme covers modal adjunct, vocative, auxiliary (finite), and wh-element.
2.2.1 Ideational (Topical) Theme
The Ideational Theme is also known as the Topical Theme because “a
component in thematic function corresponds fairly closely to what is called the topic in
a topic-comment analysis” (Halliday, 1994: 52).
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Topical Theme is usually but not always the first nominal group in the clause.
Topical Themes may also be a nominal group complex, an adverbial group, a
prepositional phrase or an embedded clause.
Topical Theme can be Marked or Unmarked. It is Marked when the Themes are
in the usual form. Marked Theme attracts attention because it is not what we normally
expect to find. In the Unmarked case, the Topical Theme is always the subject in a
declarative clause.
Nominal groups and nominal embedded clauses usually function as subjects in
declarative sentences. Therefore, they belong to Unmarked Topical Theme.
Complements, adverbial groups, and prepositional phrases attack attention when they
are put at the beginning of a clause. Hence, they are called Marked Topical Theme.
2.2.1.1 Nominal Group (Unmarked)
Nominal group is typically a group with a noun or pronoun as its head, and that
noun may be modified by a determiner or modifier or it may consist of a simple noun.
(1) The dark nest cloud has a silver lining
Nominal Group Rheme
Unmarked Topical Theme
(2) John threw a stone
Nominal Group Rheme
Unmarked Topical Theme
2.2.1.2 Nominal Embedded Clause (Unmarked)
Embedding is a mechanism whereby an element comes to function within the
structure of a group, which itself is a constituent of a clause.
Nominal embedded clause is a clause which functions like a nominal group. It
can usually be a subject of a clause such as ‘Where he lives’ in ‘Where he lives is
unknown’. Therefore, nominal embedded clause belongs to unmarked Topical Theme.
Observe the following examples.
(3) What he has said hurts me
Nominal Embedded Clause Rheme
Unmarked Topical Theme
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(4) How the burglar broke into the house is a mystery
Nominal Embedded Clause Rheme
Unmarked Topical Theme
2.2.1.3 Adverbial Group (Marked)
Adverbial group generally has an adverb as the head, which may or may not be
accompanied by modifying elements. An adverbial group tends to have simpler
structure than nominal or verbal groups. The adverbial group normally has an adverb
as its head. In example, ‘somewhat earlier’ is an adverb group ; ‘earlier’ is the head,
and ‘somewhat’ the modifier. (Bloor, 1995 : 28).
The sentences below show that adverbial groups function as Marked Topical
Theme when they are in the initial position of a clause
(5) Only ten years ago this coastline was quite unspoilt
Adverbial Group Rheme
Marked Topical Theme
(6) Quickly he answers the questions
Adverbial Group Rheme
Marked Topical Theme
2.2.1.4 Prepositional Phrase (Marked)
A prepositional phrase usually begins with a preposition and is followed by its
object (noun, pronoun, or noun phrase). The prepositional phrase consists of a
preposition plus a nominal group (Halliday, 1994: 42).
In thematic structure, a prepositional phrase is considered Marked Topical
Theme when it occurs in the first position of a clause as in (7) and (8).
(7) On the beach the children like playing
Prepositional Phrase Rheme
Marked Topical Theme
(8) In front of the library she firstly met him
Prepositional Phrase Rheme
Marked Topical Theme
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2.2.1.5 Complement (Marked)
A complement is the part of sentence which answers the question “who or what
and to what” after the verb. In the context of thematic structure, a complement is an
element that has the potential of being a subject but it is not. Thus, a complement can
be in the form of a nominal group or nominal embedded clause which does not
function as a subject.
Generally, complements follow the verb in declarative sentence, but
occasionally, for special effect, we find them in thematic position. They sometimes
occur at the beginning of a clause as in the following.
(9) John I know very well
Complement Rheme
Marked Topical Theme
(10) This book she bought yesterday
Complement Rheme
Marked Topical Theme
Note that the Theme of a clause extends to and includes the Topical Theme.
Therefore, elements which precede the Topical Theme are also thematic but elements
which come after the Topical Theme are not.
2.2.2 Textual Theme
Textual theme can be identified as a Theme which is realized by textual
element such as continuative or conjunctive adjunct. Textual Theme relates the clause
to its context, and it can be in the form of conjunctions, conjunctive adjuncts, or
continuatives (Gerot and Wignell, 1994 : 105).
Further, Textual Theme also includes relatives, which commonly occur in
thematic position: Relatives relate one clause to the previous clause, and may function
as subject, adjunct, or complement within the clause. In short, Textual Theme can be
conjunctions, conjunctive adjuncts, continuatives, or relatives.
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2.2.2.1 Conjunction (Structural)
Conjunctions tend to provide Textual Themes within a clause complex, and are
called Structural Themes. The conjunctions almost always occur at the beginning of
the second clause in each pair, and carry the logico-semantic relations between
clauses. It means that conjunctions constitute a natural point of departure, helping the
hearer to fit this clause in its appropriate context.
Downing and Lock (1995: 232) state that conjunctions of both the coordinating
(and, or, either, neither, but, yet) and the subordinating types (after, although,
because, before, etc), are inherently thematic in that they are placed at the beginning of
the clause.
(11) He is rich, but most of this friends do not like him
Nom. Gr.
Rheme
Structural Nominal group Rheme
Unmarked Top. Textual Unmarked Topic.
Theme Theme
(12) When, I got there, he had already left
Structural Nominal Gr.
Rheme
Nominal group
Rheme Textual Unmarked Top. Unmarked Top.
Theme Theme
2.2.2.2 Conjunctive Adjunct
Conjunctive Adjuncts are items which connect the clause to the previous part of
the next. They related the clause to the preceding text by providing a logical link
between messages. Thompson (1996: 134) verifies that conjunctive adjuncts signal
how the clause as a whole fits in with the preceding text.
Concerning a logical link, conjunctive adjuncts are similar in meaning to
conjunctions, but they differ in that conjunctive adjuncts set up a semantic relationship
with what precedes; while, conjunctions set up a relationship which is not only
semantic but also grammatical.
Many different types of connection can be made, according to semantic nature
of the link, such as additive (also in addition, besides), adversative (however, on the
other hand, conversely), appositive (that is, for instance), causal (because of this, for
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this reason, so), etc. These connections generally precede the clause. For this reason,
they belong to Textual Theme.
(13) Besides, she is well-educated
Conjunctive Adjunct Nominal group
Rheme Textual Unmarked Top.
Theme
(14) Therefore, I should change this bad habit
Conjunctive Adjunct Nominal group
Rheme Textual Unmarked Top.
Theme
2.2.2.3 Continuative
This is a small group of items such as yes, no, well, Ah, etc, which serve to
indicate that one speaker is taking over from another in a dialogue, or that the same
speaker is moving to a different point (Downing an Locke, 1995: 233).
Continuatives, as exemplified in the following, are always at the beginning of
the clause to signal a new move. Because of this, they belong to Textual Theme.
(15) Right, you may raise a question
Continuative Nominal group
Rheme Textual Unmarked Topic.
Theme
(16) Well, we continue our discussion
Continuative Nominal group
Rheme Textual Unmarked Topic.
Theme
2.2.2.4 Relative
Relatives are items which relate the clause in which they occur to another
clause in a structural relationship. But, unlike conjunctions, relatives do not form a
separate word class; they are either nouns or adverbs. Hence, they may function as
subject, adjunct, or complement – either alone or within the structure of a group or a
phrase.
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Relatives are like WH-interrogatives, in that they have a dual function ; on the
one hand as subject, adjunct, or complement, and the other hand with a special value
of their own – either questioning (interrogative) or making some form of dependence
(relative).
Regarding the textual theme, relatives which belong to textual theme generally
occur within the structure of a group or a phrase. In short, only relatives functioning as
a defining relative may be called textual themes.
The types of relatives can be definite (which, who, that, those, when, where,
how), and indefinite (whatever, whichever, wherever, whoever, whosever, whenever,
however).
(17) The woman who has five children still looks young
The woman…. still looks young
Nominal Group Rheme
Unmarked Topical Theme
Who has five children?
Relative Rheme
Textual Theme
In the clauses above, there are two kinds of clause: dependent and independent
clauses. In the dependent clause, who is a relative functioning as Textual Theme, since
it is in the first position. In the independent clause, the woman is a nominal group as
Unmarked Topical Theme.
2.2.3 Interpersonal Theme
Interpersonal Theme describes that the clause is used in communicate acts. As
communicative elements, Interpersonal Theme generally occurs in the thematic
position. Gerot and Wignell (1994: 107) indicate that certain elements which occur
before Topical Theme belong to Interpersonal Theme such as modal adjunct, vocative,
auxiliary (finite), and wh-element. When each of these elements occurs at the
beginning of a clause, it constitutes Interpersonal Theme.
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2.2.3.1 Modal Adjunct
Modal adjunct expresses the speakers’ judgment regarding the relevance of the
message. Modal adjunct is an adverbial word or group used to express modality. It
may be seen as a comment on the content of the message rather than part of the
content itself. Thus, they orient the hearer to the message by signaling a stand point to
view the information in the clause. (Thomposn, 1996: 134 – 135).
The principle types of modal adjunct can be probability (probably, perhaps,
maybe, etc), usuality (usually, sometimes, always, etc), obviousness (of course,
clearly), surely, obviously, etc), opinion (in my opinion, to my mind), typicality
(generally, regularly, occasionally), entreaty (please, kindly), persuasion (honestly,
really, seriously), presumption (no doubt, evidently), desirability ((un) fortunately,
hopefully), reservation (at first), validation (in general, on the whole, in principle),
evaluation ((un) wisely, foolishly), and Predication (to my surprise, surprisingly, as
expected, by chance). Observe how modal adjuncts are used in the following.
(18) Unfortunately, She failed her final test
Modal Adjunct Nominal group
Rheme Interpersonal Unmarked Topical
Theme
(19) Of course, I had met him in the party
Modal Adjunct Nominal group
Rheme Interpersonal Unmarked Topical
Theme
2.2.3.2 Vocative
A vocative is any item, typically (but not necessarily) a personal name used to
address. It may come more or less anywhere in the clause, and it is thematic if they
occur before a Topical Theme. The sentences given below show how vocatives are
used as Interpersonal Theme.
(20) Mrs. Smith, We decided to wait until next week
Vocative Nominal group
Rheme Interpersonal Unmarked Topical
Theme
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(21) Sir, I have an idea
Vocative Nominal group
Rheme Interpersonal Unmarked Topical
Theme
2.2.3.3 Auxiliary (Finite)
A finite is generally known as the part of the verbal group which carries the
agreement to the subject e.g., finite forms of to be (am, is, are, was, were), those of to
have and modality (has, have, may, can, shall, will, etc), and those of to do (do, does,
did).
A finite is an Interpersonal Theme when it precedes the subject of a clause. In
other words, the finite which comes after Topical Theme does not belong to
Interpersonal Theme. Compare the following example.
(22) Can, you help me ?
Finite Nominal group
Rheme Interpersonal Unmarked Topical
Theme
(23) I, can help you
Nominal group
Rheme Unmarked Topical
Theme
2.2.3.4 Wh-Element
Wh-element is the element which requests any kind of information. Wh-
elements express the nature of the missing piece such as : who, what, when, how, etc.
These elements are generally put first in wh-question as search for the missing piece of
information. So, in a wh-question, the Theme is constituted solely by the wh-element,
no matter what other functions it has in the mood structure of the clause, whether
subject, adjunct or complement. (Halliday, 1994: 46)
(24) What are you doing ?
Wh-element Rheme
Interpersonal Theme
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(25) When will you finish you work?
Wh-element
Rheme Interpersonal
Theme
III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design
Nazir (1983: 99) notes, “Design penelitian adalah semua proses yang
diperlukan dalam perencanaan dan pelaksanaan penelitian” ‘Research design refers
to all processes which are needed in planning and doing a research.’ Thus, this
research was conducted by using descriptive design with quantitative approach. This
research is intended to describe the types of Theme, covering both the most dominant
Theme and the elements of Theme in the profile articles of Hello Magazine.
According to Best (198: 106), descriptive design is non experimental, since it
deals with the relationship between non-manipulated variables in a nature. Matin
(2004: 70) notes that descriptive research design is to portray accurately the
characteristics of a particular situation or group or individual (with or without special
initial hypotheses about the nature of these characteristics). Studies having this
purpose are known as descriptive studies. Thus, descriptive research is applied to give
a detail description of a certain case accurately.
This research also used quantitative approach in which numerical measure is
used to give generalization of the Data. In quantitative terms, it is suggested to use
numerical measures, means of description are emphasized. (Best, 1981: 107).
To conclude, this research applied descriptive quantitative design through
which the description of the data is in numerical measures.
3.1 Population and Sample
In a research, generally not all the populations are used to be analyzed. Some
portions of the population are taken as representative. And this is what is known as
sample.
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3.1.1 Population
Population can be identified as the larger group about which the generalization
is made (Gay 1990: 102). The researchers will make the generalization of the group. In
other words, we can say that population consists of all members of a larger group of
which sample will be taken.
The population of this research was taken from profile articles in Hello
Magazine published in November 2006 up to March 2007; so, the population would be
5 editions. Each of these editions contains at least three profile articles. Therefore, the
population would be about 22 profile articles in each edition.
Table 3.1 The Number of the Population
No Edition The Number of Profile
Articles
1
2
3
4
5
No. 251, November 2006
No. 252, December 2006
No. 253, January 2007
No. 254, February 2007
No. 255, March 2007
5
4
5
4
3
TOTAL 22
Table 3.1 describes that the edition of Hello Magazine in November 2006
contains 5 profile articles, that in December 2006 has 4, that in January 2007 has 5,
that in February 2007 has 5, and that in March 2007 has 3. The total number of
population of this research was 22 profile articles.
3.1.2 Sample
Sample is usually taken from the population as representative. Borg and Gall
(1983: 240) say that sample is a selected member or subject to be representative,
which is taken from a defined population. So, it can be said that sample is a portion of
population.
The samples of this research were selected by using random sampling. In this
type of sampling, every unit of the population has an equal opportunity or known
chance of being selected in sample. (Martin, 2004: 79). In other words, random
sampling may be like lottery technique in which all members of population have the
same chance to be chosen as representative.
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Based on the above quotation, all of the profile articles have a chance to be
selected as sample of this research. Therefore, this research books 4 samples randomly
as representative of the population. The four samples are about 20 % of the population.
As proposed by Furcon (1982: 198), descriptive research usually uses 20-40 percents
from the population.
Systematically, the selection of the samples is as in Table 3.2
No Edition Title
1
2
3
4
No. 252, December 2006
No. 254, February 2007
NO. 254, February 2007
No. 255, March 2007
“Turkish Literary Sensation” by Orhan Pamuk,
“Banker to the Poor” by Muhammad Yunus
“The Master of Opera” by Mozart
“The Greatest Seducer of All Time” by Casanova
3.2 Technique of Data Collection
The data were collected by applying documentary technique as stated below:
1. Reading some references which are related to the topic of this research.
2. Buying several editions of Hello Magazine, especially from November 2006 to
March 2007.
3. Identifying the profile articles in those editions.
4. Selecting randomly four profile articles in the editions.
5. And, Classifying the Theme variations which are found in the four articles.
3.3 Technique of Data Analysis
The procedures of administering the profile articles were conducted as follows:
1. Identifying the types of theme based on the theory proposed by Halliday (1994).
2. Marking the elements of theme, which are used in the profile articles.
3. Classifying the elements into three types of theme: namely ideational, textual and
interpersonal themes.
4. Tabulating each type of theme including the elements of theme.
5. Describing each Theme by using the percentage formula as follows : %100xN
FX
Note : X = The percentage of the obtained Theme
N = The total number of all types of Theme
F = Frequency of theme occurrences
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IV. RESEARCH FINDINGS
4.1 The Data
As stated in the previous chapter, the data were gathered from the profile
articles of Hello Magazine. The data were collected from six editions i.e. November
2006, December 2006, January 2007, February 2007, and March 2007. From these
editions, there were 22 profile articles. And based on the sampling methods, those
profile articles were selected randomly. Consequently, four profile articles were
selected, namely “Turkish Literary Sensation” by Orhan Pamuk, “Banker to the Poor’
by Muhammad Yunus, “The Master of Opera” by Mozart, and “The Greatest Seducer
of All Time” by Casanova
Equally important, there are three types of Theme, as proposed by Halliday
(1994), which were analyzed or classified through the four-selected data. Each type of
theme has several elements, and these elements indicate which type of Theme the
elements of each clause in the four profile articles belong to.
Table 4.1. The Number of the Elements of Each Theme
No Title
Types of Theme
Ideational Textual Interpersonal Total
A B C D E A B C D A B C D
1 Turkish Literary Sensation 142 3 4 21 1 58 8 3 18 4 0 2 0 266
2 Banker to the Poor 10 0 3 18 3 33 14 0 19 1 0 1 2 195
3 The Master of Opera 105 0 1 15 0 52 3 0 15 2 0 0 0 193
4 The Greatest Seducer of
All Time
176 1 5 30 4 77 23 1 29 33 0 2 2 353
Total 524 4 15 84 8 220 48 4 81 10 0 5 4 1,007
Note: a. Ideational Theme
A = Nominal Group
B = Nominal Embedded Clause
C = Adverbal Group
D = Prepositional phrase
E = Complement
b. Textual Theme
A = Conjunction (structural)
B = Conjunctive adjunct
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C = Continuative
D = Relative
c. Interpersonal Theme
A = Modal Adjunct
B = Vocative
C = Auxiliary (finite)
D = Wh-Element
Table 4.1 shows the number of the elements of Theme which are found in the
four profile articles of Hello Magazine. From this table, it can be seen that nominal
group occurs most frequently in the four profile articles with 524 occurrences, and
conjunction (structural) with 220 occurrences. On the other hand, vocative is the
element of interpersonal theme which does not occur in the articles. The following
table shows the whole theme elements in the articles consisting of 1,007 occurrences.
Table 4.2. The Total of the Types of Theme
No Title Types of Theme
1 2 3
1 “Turkish Literary Sensation” 173 87 3
2 “Banker to the Poor” 125 66 4
3 “The Master of Opera” 121 70 2
4 “The Greatest Seducer of All Time” 216 130 7
Total 635 353 19
Total number of Theme Occurrences 1,007
Note: 1. = Ideational (textual) Theme
2. = Textual Theme
3. = Interpersonal Theme
The above table (4.2) describes the total number of the types of Theme. First,
the total number of Ideational (Topical) Theme found in the four profile articles of
Hello Magazine is 635, that of Textual Theme is 353 and that of Interpersonal Theme
is 19. This table also shows that Ideational (Topical) Theme found in the title
“Greatest Seducer of All Time” is the largest in number with 216 occurrences. Finally,
the total number of all types of Theme is 1,007.
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4.2 Data Analysis
After the data being collected, they were classified according to the types of
Theme. From the four profile articles of Hello Magazine, all types of Theme are
present in the clauses. There is an element which does not exist in the clauses of the
four profile articles of Hello Magazine; that is vocative − the element of interpersonal
theme. The number and percentage of Topical Theme is given in tables 4.3.
Table 4.3. Occurrences of Ideational (Topical) Theme
No Types of Elements Number Percentage
1 Nominal group 524 82.5 %
2 Nominal embedded clause 4 0.6 %
3 Adverbial group 15 2.4 %
4 Prepositional phrase 84 13.2 %
5 Complement 8 1.3 %
Total 635 100 %
Table 4.3 shows that nominal group is the most dominant element in
Interpersonal (Topical) Theme. The number of marked Theme is 107 (16.9 %), while,
that of the unmarked Theme is 528 (83.1 %) as presented in table 4.4 below.
Table 4.4 The Realization of Various Types of Topical Theme
No Types Number Percentage
1 Marked 107 16.9 %
2 Unmarked 528 83.1 %
Total 635 100 %
This table shows that the marked Topical Theme is less dominant than the
unmarked one. It means that in the four profile articles, the Themes which stand out
and attract the attention are not as many as those which do not.
Further, the Textual Theme consists of 220 (62.3 %) conjunctions (structurals),
48 (13.6 %) conjunctive adjuncts, 4 (1.1 %) continuatives and 81 (23 %) relatives. It is
figured in table 4.5.
Table 4.5 The Realization of Various Elements of Textual Theme
No Types of Element Number Percentage
1 Conjunction 220 62.3 %
2 Conjunctive adjunct 48 13.6 %
3 Continuative 4 1.1 %
4 Relative 81 23.0 %
Total 353 100 %
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Since the most dominant Textual Theme is conjunction (structural), it means
that there are many Themes which carry the logico-semantic relations among clauses
in the four profile articles of Hello Magazine. The second position of Textual Theme is
relative. Conjunctive adjunct is the third position. It means that there are also some
elements that connect the clauses to the previous part of the text. Last, continuative is
the fewest element. It means that there are a few clauses in the four profile articles
using signalers.
From the total Interpersonal Themes, there are 10 (52.6 %) modal adjuncts, no
(0 %) vocative, 5 (26.3 %) auxiliaries (finites), and 4 (21.1 %) wh-elements. The
percentage is described in table 4.6 below.
Table 4.6. The Realization of Various Elements of Interpersonal Theme
No Types of Element Number Percentage
1 Modal Adjunct 10 52.6 %
2 Vocative 0 0 %
3 Auxiliary (finite) 5 26.3 %
4 Wh-element 4 21.1 %
Total 19 100 %
Table 4.6 shows that in the Interpersonal Theme, modal adjuncts are more
dominant than vocatives, auxiliaries, and wh-elements. It means that in the four profile
articles, treating modal adjunct as the Theme for expressing feelings, attitude, and
judgment is more than treating the others.
In addition, the realization of the existence of all various elements of Themes in
the four profile articles of Hello Magazine is presented in table 4.7.
Table 4.7 The Realization of all Elements of Theme
No Types of Element Number Percentage
1 Nominal Group 524 52 %
2 Nominal Embedded Clause 4 0.4 %
3 Adverbial group 15 1.5 %
4 Prepositional phrase 84 8.3 %
5 Complement 8 0.8 %
6 Conjunction 220 21.8 %
7 Conjunctive adjunct 48 4.8 %
8 Continuative 4 0.4 %
9 Relative 81 8.1 %
10 Modal Adjunct 10 1 %
11 Vocative 0 0 %
Thematic Structure of the Profile Articles in Hello Magazine, Sri Wulan.
83
12 Auxiliary (finite) 5 0.5 %
13 Wh-element 4 0.4 %
Total 1,007 100 %
The table 4.7 describes the existence of all elements of Theme. It can be seen
that nominal group is the most dominant element with 524 (52 %) occurrences. The
next is conjunction with 220 (21.8 %) occurrences, prepositional adjunct with 48 (4.8
%) occurrences, adverbial group with 15 (1.5 %) occurrences, modal adjunct with 10
(1 %) occurrences, complement with 7 (0.8 %) occurrences, auxiliary with 5 (0.5 %)
occurrences, and nominal embedded clause, continuative and wh-element with 4
(0.4%) occurrences; while vocative does not occur at all in the four profile articles of
Hello Magazine.
All in all, after having shown the percentage of various elements of each
Theme, the percentage of the types of Theme itself is figured in table 4.7 below.
Table 4.8. The Realization of all Themes
No Types of Theme Number Percentage
1 Ideational (topical) Theme 635 63.1 %
2 Textual Theme 353 35 %
3 Interpersonal Theme 19 1.9 %
Total 1,007 100 %
Table 4.7 shows that the number of Ideational (Topical) Theme is 635 (63.1 %),
Textual Theme is 353 (35 %), and Interpersonal Theme is 19 (1.9 %). The data show
that the most dominant Theme used in the four profile articles of Hello Magazine is
Ideational (topical) Theme.
4.3 Research Findings
After analyzing Theme variations and occurrences in the four profile articles of
Hello Magazine, the findings can be presented as follows:
a. All elements of Theme are found in the four profile articles of Hello Magazine
except vocative. There are 524 (52 %) nominal groups, 4 (0.4 %) nominal
embedded clauses, 15 (1.5 %) adverbial groups, 84 (8.3 %) prepositional phrases, 8
(0.8 %) complements, 220 (21.8 %) conjunctions (structural), 48 (4.8 %)
conjunctive adjuncts, 4 (0.4 %) continuatives, 81 (8.1 %) relatives, 10 (1 %) modal
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84
adjuncts, 5 (0.5 %) auxiliaries, and 4 (0.4 %) wh-elements. The only theme element
which is not used at all in the articles is vocative.
b. Based on the percentage of theme occurrence in the articles, nominal group is used
most frequently with 524 (52 %) occurrences.
c. The number of Ideational (Topical) Theme is 635 (63.1 %), that of Textual Theme
is 353 (35 %), and that of Interpersonal Theme is 19 (1.9 %).
d. The Ideational (Topical) Theme is the most dominant with 63.1 % occurrences.
To sum up, all types of Theme are used in the four profile articles of Hello
Magazine, but not all elements of Theme are found in those articles. Then, the most
dominant Theme is ideational (Topical), and the most frequent element of Theme is
nominal group.
V. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
5.1 Conclusions
The three types of Theme are applied in the four profile articles of Hello
Magazine with 1,007 occurrences. But, vocative is the element of Theme which is not
used at all. The total of percentage shows that the occurrence of ideational (Topical)
Theme is 63.1 %, that of Textual Theme is 35.1 %, and that of Interpersonal Theme is
1.9 %. Therefore, it can be concluded that the most dominant Theme is Ideational
(Topical) Theme, especially unmarked Topical Theme. Nominal group is the theme
element which is used more frequently than the other elements, and its occurrence is
52 %. These research findings answer the research problems presented earlier.
5.2 Suggestions
1. Thematic Structure of a text is very important to study because by mastering this
linguistic aspect the reader of the text will grasp the comprehension of meaning of
the text accurately; and therefore students of language as well as readers should
master the thematic structure of texts.
Thematic Structure of the Profile Articles in Hello Magazine, Sri Wulan.
85
2. Each type of Theme has various elements which may result in confusion.
Therefore, mastering the elements of each Theme should be done first before
analyzing clauses of a text.
3. On the whole, it can be said that mastering theory should be passed first before
applying the theory into practice by, for instance, analyzing a text.
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