Two theoretical orientations-schema theory and cultural norms for the use of language unify this multidisciplinary collection of papers examining discourse. Chapters by Adams and Collins; Warren; Nicholas and Trabasso; Stein and Glenn; and Freedle and Hale highlight the application of schema theory to the study of story recall, reading, and the transfer of story schema to increase comprehension of prose. Five chapters focus on cultural schemata. The ways different interpretive frames are used to synthesize what people have seen and how the frames are realized in speech is explored by Tannen. Nix and Schwarz explain how differences in the cultural experiences of Black and White American children alters their interpretation of passages. Freedle and Duran illustrate how dialogue involves scripts for managing social interaction. Ochs offers evidence for the specificity of certain syntax rules suggesting that language structure in part may refIect social processes and structure. Scribner explains how western methods and culture influence problem-solving approaches. Papers by Keller-Cohen and Cherry discuss how discourse theory can be used to study the first and second language acquisition of children. Clements investigates Grimes' theory of how propositions are staged so as to achieve varying degrees of textual importance or relevance in the total text. (PMJ)