THE EFFECTS OF TOPIC AND LISTENER FAMILIARITY ON DISCOURSE VARIABLES IN PROCEDURAL AND NARRATIVE DISCOURSE TASKS

This study investigated the effects of listener and topic familiarity on procedural and narrative discourse variables. Twenty-two aphasic pa tients (5 Broca's, 7 conduction, and 10 anemic aphasics) and IO normal speakers served as subjects. Topic familiarity influenced discourse p roduction in both procedural discourse and story retell situations. In procedural discourse, a greater number of optional steps were provide d with familiar topics. During retelling of familiar topic stories, a greater proportion of action and resolution clauses were included. Lis tener familiarity affected the story retell task only. A greater perce ntage of subjects provided the setting when the listener was familiar.