Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST) Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, relations, and structural conventions of Rhetorical Structure Theory ($$RST$$) as established by Mann and Thompson (1988).

Rhetorical Structure Theory ($RST$)

A descriptive theory of a major aspect of the organization of natural text, characterizing structure primarily in terms of relations that hold between parts of the text.

Nucleus ($N$)

The central or most essential text span in a rhetorical relation, which is often comprehensibly independent of its associated satellite.

Satellite ($S$)

A text span that provides supporting information to a nucleus and is often viewed as a non-sequitur if the nuclear claim is removed.

Relation Definition Fields

The four specific components of an $RST$ relation: Constraints on the Nucleus, Constraints on the Satellite, Constraints on the combination of Nucleus and Satellite, and the Effect.

Plausibility Judgments

The standard of judgment used by analysts to build an $RST$ structure, recognizing that certain knowledge of the writer's intent or the reader's state is not directly accessible.

Relational Propositions

Unstated but inferred propositions that arise from the text structure during the interpretation process and are considered essential to the coherence of the text.

Presentational Relations

Relations intended to increase a reader's inclination, such as the desire to act ($Motivation$), belief ($Evidence$), or acceptance ($Justify$).

Subject Matter Relations

Relations whose intended effect is for the reader to recognize a semantic link in the text's content, such as $Volitional\ Cause$, $Condition$, or $Elaboration$.

Evidence Relation

A presentational relation where the satellite is intended to increase the reader's belief in the information presented in the nucleus.

Justify Relation

A presentational relation intended to increase the reader's readiness to accept the writer's right to present the nuclear material.

Antithesis Relation

A relation where the situations in the nucleus and satellite are in contrast, the analyst perceives the writer has positive regard for the nucleus, and the incompatibility increases positive regard for the nucleus.

Concession Relation

A relation where the writer acknowledges a potential incompatibility between the nucleus and satellite but regards them as compatible, thereby increasing the reader's positive regard for the situation in the nucleus.

Solutionhood Relation

A relation where the satellite presents a problem, such as a question, request, or negative condition, and the nucleus provides a solution.

Elaboration Relation

A relation where the satellite provides additional detail, such as member, instance, whole-part, process-step, object-attribute, or generalization-specific, for the nucleus.

Motivation Relation

A transition intended to increase the reader's desire to perform an action presented in the nucleus.

Enablement Relation

A relation intended to increase the reader's potential ability to perform the action presented in the nucleus.

Condition Relation

A relation where the realization of the situation in the nucleus depends on the realization of the hypothetical or future situation presented in the satellite.

Interpretation Relation

A relation where the satellite relates the nucleus to a framework of ideas not involved in the knowledge of the nucleus itself.

Evaluation Relation

A relation where the satellite assesses the situation in the nucleus relative to the writer's degree of positive regard.

Schema

Abstract patterns consisting of a small number of constituent text spans and a specification of the relations between them, determining possible $RST$ text structures.

Multinuclear Schemas

Constructs specifically used for patterns where organization is not centered around a single nucleus, including $CONTRAST$, $SEQUENCE$, and $JOINT$.

Nuclearity

A central organizing principle of text structure where certain spans function as essential nuclei and others as supportive satellites.