Abstract
The purpose of this research is to figure out the features of the present perfect tense used in news reports especially from a perspective of topic flow. Based on two data sets, we analyzed topic types that the present perfect carried and reached following results. First, the present perfect was used for four topic types such as ‘topic introduction’ in the head, ‘topic shift’ and ‘topic elaboration’ in the middle, and ‘topic termination’ in the end texts. Second, the present perfect was found to convey more general information than specific information. The present perfect conveying general information includes the types used for ‘topic introduction’ delivering hot news in the lead, ‘topic shift’ providing other new information derived from the lead, and ‘topic termination’ expressing the final summary in the end. The present perfect carrying specific information includes ‘topic elaboration’. Third, the present perfect was also used for ‘topic emphasis’ as the present perfect, a more marked type than simple tenses, entered various locations amongst multiple past and present simples to highlight the gist of news topics in a variety of contexts.
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