Introduction Body of text Conclusion

9.4 Discourse structure

Discourse structure is composed of an introduction, body, and conclusion. Although these three occur with narrative, procedural, prayer, hortatory and expository texts, they manifest themselves differently with each one.

9.4.1 Introduction

Introductions in texts generally consist of non-verbal §6.3 and semi-verbal §6.4 clauses such as presentational, equative and naming clauses. Orienter §7.3.2.2 type clausal relations are often found in introductions as well. Narrative introductions generally begin by introducing the participants of the story and background information. Procedural introductions generally begin by something like: When we cook octopus we do it like this, and then they tell the procedure. Prayer begins with a vocative, calling out to God which is then followed by eloquent praise in high ritual speech see prayer text in appendix B, text 3. Hortatory or expository texts begin with vocatives addressing their audience. These can be very long and involved, using descriptive information of each category of listener in the audience. This involves high ritual language composed of many word pairs and parallelisms, see examples in §9.9.2.

9.4.2 Body of text

The body of the text is generally filled by transitive and intransitive clauses which carry the discourse forward. However, throughout the body of the text there may be new presentational material added through the use of semi-verbal or non-verbal clauses. Clarifying information can also be added in the form of relative clauses. The connectors or conjunctions which occur with each interclausal relation and genre are discussed in §7.3 Within the body of the narrative text are a number of episodes which in turn are made up of paragraphs. The body of a procedural text is made up completely of an ordered description of the procedure. The body of a prayer text is made up of a number of requests. The body of hortatory or expository texts is made up of one or more different points, and their supporting arguments.

9.4.3 Conclusion

Narrative and procedural texts are often concluded by the word nhowua ‘finished’. Narratives may also have as a lead up to the word nhowua, something like: ‘And that is why it is like this.’ ‘That is why we call it that.’ Prayer texts often come to a close expressing a motivation for God to answer their prayer, namely that he would be glorified, and then a final vocative and Amen. Hortatory and expository text often ends with a conclusion, exhortation or a warning.

9.4.4 Paragraph and episode boundaries