Rheme

Definition

A rheme is the part of a sentence that provides new information about the topic, often indicating what is being said about the theme. In sentence structure, the rheme serves to complete the message and highlight details that may not have been previously known to the listener or reader, making it essential for conveying meaning in communication.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The rheme usually follows the theme in a sentence, providing clarity and detail regarding what is being conveyed.
2. Rhemes can vary in complexity, ranging from a single word to an entire clause that elaborates on the theme.
3. In different languages, the placement of the rheme can affect how information is understood and prioritized by listeners.
4. Identifying the rheme helps in understanding the speaker's intent and the focus of communication in both spoken and written language.
5. Rhemes play a critical role in academic writing and discourse, where clarity and emphasis on new information are essential for effective argumentation.

Review Questions

• How does understanding rhemes improve your ability to interpret complex sentences?
  • Understanding rhemes enhances interpretation skills by allowing you to identify what new information is being presented about the topic. By recognizing where the rheme falls in a sentence, you can better grasp the overall meaning and intentions of the speaker or writer. This understanding helps in breaking down complex sentences into manageable parts, making it easier to analyze their significance.
• Discuss how rhemes interact with themes in constructing effective communication.
  • Rhemes and themes work together to create a coherent message in communication. The theme sets up what is known or discussed, while the rheme delivers new insights or information related to that theme. This interaction allows speakers and writers to guide their audience through their thoughts, maintaining clarity and ensuring that important details are highlighted effectively.
• Evaluate how varying placements of rhemes can change meaning and emphasis in discourse.
  • The placement of rhemes can significantly influence meaning and emphasis in discourse by altering what is highlighted as important information. When a rheme is placed at the end of a sentence, it often draws greater attention from listeners, making it seem more significant. Conversely, placing it earlier can integrate new information more smoothly into a conversation. Analyzing these variations helps in understanding nuances in tone and intention behind spoken or written communication.

Related terms

Theme:

The theme is the starting point of a sentence, representing what is already known or what the sentence is about.

Topic-Comment Structure: This structure consists of two components: the topic (what the sentence is about) and the comment (what is being said about the topic), where the rheme typically falls within the comment.

Information Structure:

The organization of information in a sentence, which includes how new and old information is presented, helping to clarify the relationship between elements like the theme and rheme.