thematic structure of the profile articles...

JULISA, Volume 8 Number 1, April 2008, Page 64 – 85.

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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.

Thematic Structure of the Profile Articles in Hello Magazine, Sri Wulan.

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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


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



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(4) How the burglar broke into the house is a mystery

Nominal Embedded Clause Rheme


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


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


(8) In front of the library she firstly met him

Prepositional Phrase Rheme



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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


(10) This book she bought yesterday

Complement Rheme


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


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


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


Theme


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(21) Sir, I have an idea

Vocative Nominal group


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


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


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


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 %


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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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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.


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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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