Introduction to Forward-Pointing Devices

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Introduction to Forward-Pointing Devices
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Grammatical choices as authorial intent

• Choice implies meaning
• Default versus Marked
• Semantic meaning vs. Pragmatic effect
• Principles, not rules

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Forward-Pointing Devices

• Exploit at least one of three factors
• Redundancy
• Marked usage
• Delay/Interruption

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Processing Hierarchy

• Discourse-pragmatic Function
• which entails
• Processing Function
• which entails
• Semantic Function

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Forward-Pointing Devices

• Unneeded/Redundant
• Guess what? Get thisJust say it!
• Although I like your shirtGet to the point!
• Dont just sit thereWhat should I do?
• I want you to knowJust say it!
• I decided to go upstairs. As I am walking up the
  stairsGet to the point, and use past tense!

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Forward-Pointing Devices

• Guess what? Get this
• Redundancy-extra pronoun
• Markedness-pronouns typically backward-pointing
• Delay/interruption-extra reference slows the
  discourse
• I want you to know
• Redundancy-extra clause, already known
• Delay/interruption-extra reference slows the
  discourse, pushing off what he wants you to know.

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Forward-Pointing C Reference C and D Target D

• Redundant reference to something yet to be
  introduced.
• Non-default use of pronoun
• Extra reference delays introduction

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Forward-Pointing C Reference C and D Target D

• Get this!
• Listen to this!
• Guess what!
• You know what?
• Heres the deal!
• This is my final offer
• Heres how I want you to do this.

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Forward-Pointing C Reference C and D Target D

• Interrogatives (rhetorical questions)
• Asking a question that does not expect an answer
• Focuses attention on the answer to the question
• Matthew 117-9
• Romans 327

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Forward-Pointing C Reference C and D Target D

• Demonstrative pronouns
• Generic reference to something not yet introduced
• Individual entity (i.e. person or thing)
• Propositional concept (i.e. idea or quotation)
• 1 John 49-10
• Matthew 25, 18, 23
• Mark 1021

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Forward-Pointing C Reference C and D Target D

• Adverbs
• Describe the manner in which something
  presupposed action is to be done, i.e. how
• Mark 430
• 1Corinthians 924, 26

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A Point A -- B Counterpoint B Sets

• The use of µ??
• Anticipates some related point will follow
• Creates a correlated set

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A Point A -- B Counterpoint B Sets

• The use of exception or restriction
• Negates an entire set, then adds one member back
  in the exception

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A Point A -- B Counterpoint B Sets
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A Point A -- B Counterpoint B Sets

• The use of exception or restriction
• Negates an entire set, then adds one member back
  in the exception
• The importance of exceptions
• Mark 64-5
• 2 Timothy 25

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A Point A -- B Counterpoint B Sets

• The use of ???? to correct or replace
• Can follow either a positive or negative
  statement
• Replaced element
• is not a member of original set
• is syntactically parallel to what it replaces

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A Point A -- B Counterpoint B Sets
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A Point A -- B Counterpoint B Sets

• The use of ???? to correct or replace
• Can follow either a positive or negative
  statement
• Replaced element
• is not a member of original set
• is syntactically parallel to what it replaces
• Philippians 24
• 1 Corinthians 142
• Matthew 2028

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Forward-Pointing Devices

• Exploit at least one of three factors
• Redundancy
• Marked usage
• Delay/Interruption
• Effects
• Creates some suspense through the delay
• Attracts more attention than omitting reference

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Meta-comments

• When speakers stop saying what they are saying in
  order to comment on what is going to be said
• Unneeded to process what follows
• Delays the introduction of what is commented on
• It is very important that you understand that
• I want you to know that
• Of all the things that you have learned so far,
  the most important thing is that
• If you remember nothing else that I say,
  remember that

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Meta-comments

• Oceans Eleven
• I say to you
• I tell you the truth
• We know that
• Romans 121, 3
• Galatians 19, 11
• Matthew 518 versus 522

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Historical Present

• Greek tenses do not encode time like English, but
  there is a relationship
• Vast majority of aorists are past time references
• Vast majority of presents are present time refs
• Greek verbs primarily convey aspect
• Perfective-viewing the action as undifferentiated
  whole
• Imperfective-viewing it as incomplete or ongoing

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Historical Present

• Historical use stands out by using
• wrong temporal referencepresent for past
• wrong aspectimperfective for perfective
• Primary functions
• Highlighting a discontinuity in the discourse
• Figuratively making a mountain out of a mole
  hill
• Matthew 151
• Highlighting a significant speech or event that
  follows
• Mark 1430

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Processing Hierarchy

• Discourse-pragmatic Function
• which entails
• Processing Function
• which entails
• Semantic Function

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Redundant Quotative Frames

• The use of extra verbs of speaking to frame or
  introduce a speech, which are meant to draw
  attention to a surprising or important speech
  that follows.
• Functions
• Highlighting speech at changes
• Mark 1122 // Matthew 2121
• Segmenting/highlighting mid-speech w/o change
• Luke 65

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Sample passages

• Mark 1017-22
• Mt 19.16-30
• Lk 18.18-30