Discourse topic represents an essential level of organization in
discourse. The role that topic plays in the establishment of discourse coherence
is discussed and a model for the assessment of topic in presented. In relation to
the model, prerequisite skills for effective topic management and normal
developmental patterns are discussed The manner in which topic management can be
disrupted in the discourse of children with specific language impairment is
described and profiles of disrupted topic management are presented. For assessment
purposes a range of parameters of topic and subtopic introduction and maintenance
are delineated and described.
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