Interactive solution-problems
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Michael P. Jordan
Abstract
The theory of problem-solution patterning is already well established for a wide range of genres and at macrostructure and microstructure levels of communication. That theory has, however, largely failed to account for interactive solution-problems: where a solution is or causes a problem to another person, group or thing. This chapter establishes the major parameters of this sub-theory of problem-solution structures and the related grammar and signalling. For informal writing in the natural sciences, solution-problems are shown to apply to environmental concerns, predator-prey relations and cause-effect relations. More generally the principles are extended to cover third-party involvement, friends and enemies and iatrogenic solution-problems. The sub-theory of structures and linguistic signalling outlined here applies to many genres – not just those in the natural sciences, but also in news and business reports, and general journalism. Studies of the structures and signalling of politics and fictional works (cartoons, sitcoms, soap operas, movies, novels, etc.) would be natural extensions for the principles explained.
Abstract
The theory of problem-solution patterning is already well established for a wide range of genres and at macrostructure and microstructure levels of communication. That theory has, however, largely failed to account for interactive solution-problems: where a solution is or causes a problem to another person, group or thing. This chapter establishes the major parameters of this sub-theory of problem-solution structures and the related grammar and signalling. For informal writing in the natural sciences, solution-problems are shown to apply to environmental concerns, predator-prey relations and cause-effect relations. More generally the principles are extended to cover third-party involvement, friends and enemies and iatrogenic solution-problems. The sub-theory of structures and linguistic signalling outlined here applies to many genres – not just those in the natural sciences, but also in news and business reports, and general journalism. Studies of the structures and signalling of politics and fictional works (cartoons, sitcoms, soap operas, movies, novels, etc.) would be natural extensions for the principles explained.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Contributors ix
- Editorial introduction xvii
- Publications of Angela Downing xxvii
- Grammar as an adaptive evolutionary product 1
- Towards a cognitive-functional model of text comprehension 41
- Towards an integrational approach in linguistics 81
- Expressing past habit in English and Swedish 97
- Do cognate and circumstantial complements of intransitive verbs form one ‘Range’? 129
- The unconscious, irresponsible construction in Modern Icelandic 149
- Modelling ‘selection’ between referents in the English nominal group 165
- Problems in NP structure 205
- Double-possessive nominalizations in English 217
- Pragmatics, word order and cross-reference 233
- Patterns of multiple theme and their role in developing English writing skills 257
- Interactive solution-problems 279
- The English Contrastive Discourse Marker instead 301
- Global and local attention in task-oriented conversation 313
- Metadiscursive and interpersonal values of pronominal topics in spoken Spanish 327
- Phatic communion and small talk in fictional dialogues 349
- Mister so-called X 359
- ‘Sorry to muddy the waters’ 395
- The discourse functionality of adjectival and adverbial epistemic expressions 419
- Modality across World Englishes 447
- Name index 469
- Subject index 473
- Language index 481
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Contributors ix
- Editorial introduction xvii
- Publications of Angela Downing xxvii
- Grammar as an adaptive evolutionary product 1
- Towards a cognitive-functional model of text comprehension 41
- Towards an integrational approach in linguistics 81
- Expressing past habit in English and Swedish 97
- Do cognate and circumstantial complements of intransitive verbs form one ‘Range’? 129
- The unconscious, irresponsible construction in Modern Icelandic 149
- Modelling ‘selection’ between referents in the English nominal group 165
- Problems in NP structure 205
- Double-possessive nominalizations in English 217
- Pragmatics, word order and cross-reference 233
- Patterns of multiple theme and their role in developing English writing skills 257
- Interactive solution-problems 279
- The English Contrastive Discourse Marker instead 301
- Global and local attention in task-oriented conversation 313
- Metadiscursive and interpersonal values of pronominal topics in spoken Spanish 327
- Phatic communion and small talk in fictional dialogues 349
- Mister so-called X 359
- ‘Sorry to muddy the waters’ 395
- The discourse functionality of adjectival and adverbial epistemic expressions 419
- Modality across World Englishes 447
- Name index 469
- Subject index 473
- Language index 481
