Tanya Reinhart's paper explores the concept of sentence topics in pragmatics and linguistics. She argues that sentence topics are a specific linguistic phenomenon, distinct from discourse topics, which are broader and more abstract. Sentence topics are determined by both the context of utterance and the linguistic structure of the sentence. While pragmatic aboutness, which defines sentence topics, may relate to non-linguistic aspects of human interaction, it is constrained by the independent linguistic properties of the language. The paper discusses various approaches to defining sentence topics, including the idea that topics are expressions that represent old information. However, Reinhart argues that this definition is flawed, as it fails to capture the nuances of pragmatic aboutness. She proposes that pragmatic aboutness is better understood through the lens of Strawson's criteria, which involve the speaker's intent and the verification of the sentence's content. Reinhart also examines the interaction between syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic considerations in determining sentence topics. She highlights that certain syntactic structures, such as left dislocation, can mark a topic explicitly. Additionally, she discusses the role of intonation and focus in identifying topics, noting that intonation can significantly affect how a sentence is interpreted. The paper also addresses the relationship between topics and presuppositions, arguing that only sentence topics carry existential presuppositions. Furthermore, Reinhart explores how topics influence anaphora interpretation, showing that the choice of topic can affect the reference of pronouns in a sentence. In conclusion, Reinhart emphasizes the importance of understanding sentence topics as a pragmatic phenomenon, distinct from semantic or syntactic considerations. She argues that the concept of topic is complex and multifaceted, requiring a nuanced analysis that considers both linguistic and contextual factors.Tanya Reinhart's paper explores the concept of sentence topics in pragmatics and linguistics. She argues that sentence topics are a specific linguistic phenomenon, distinct from discourse topics, which are broader and more abstract. Sentence topics are determined by both the context of utterance and the linguistic structure of the sentence. While pragmatic aboutness, which defines sentence topics, may relate to non-linguistic aspects of human interaction, it is constrained by the independent linguistic properties of the language. The paper discusses various approaches to defining sentence topics, including the idea that topics are expressions that represent old information. However, Reinhart argues that this definition is flawed, as it fails to capture the nuances of pragmatic aboutness. She proposes that pragmatic aboutness is better understood through the lens of Strawson's criteria, which involve the speaker's intent and the verification of the sentence's content. Reinhart also examines the interaction between syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic considerations in determining sentence topics. She highlights that certain syntactic structures, such as left dislocation, can mark a topic explicitly. Additionally, she discusses the role of intonation and focus in identifying topics, noting that intonation can significantly affect how a sentence is interpreted. The paper also addresses the relationship between topics and presuppositions, arguing that only sentence topics carry existential presuppositions. Furthermore, Reinhart explores how topics influence anaphora interpretation, showing that the choice of topic can affect the reference of pronouns in a sentence. In conclusion, Reinhart emphasizes the importance of understanding sentence topics as a pragmatic phenomenon, distinct from semantic or syntactic considerations. She argues that the concept of topic is complex and multifaceted, requiring a nuanced analysis that considers both linguistic and contextual factors.