Thematic Structure and Progression in Selected Business news Reports of Two Nigerian Newspapers:

Authors

  • emmanuel cletus sharndama Federal University,Wukari School of humanities,management and social sciences dept of english and litrary studies

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v2i7.167

Abstract

 

Abstract

One of the problems of writing both in and outside academic setting is the structuring/packing of information by the writer. Sometimes, poor structuring and packaging of the information that the writer wants to convey to the target audience results communication breakdown. This paper investigates thematic structure and progression in business news report of selected Nigerian newspapers. Halliday and Matthiessen (2004) Theme-Rheme theory was adopted for investigation of the theme-rheme patterns, while Danes (1974) theory of thematic progression was used for investigation of thematic progression patterns.      The result of the analysis revealed that the themes of the clauses are mostly multiple because of the modification of the topical themes by either textual, interpersonal, prepositional phrase or adverbials. The result of the analysis of the thematic progression pattern showed that the linear and constant themes are prevalent in business news report, though the constant theme is the predominant. These two patterns are reflective of the features of narrative writing task of which news reporting is an aspect. The analysis also revealed ruptures and breakdowns occur in the thematic progression which affects network of the themes and the flow of information. 

Author Biography

  • emmanuel cletus sharndama, Federal University,Wukari School of humanities,management and social sciences dept of english and litrary studies

    Senior lecturer,Dept of English and Literary Studies

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Published

2013-08-31

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 7 (2013): August

Section

Article

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