Verbum 9 Tip 9ar: Guide section: Visualizations: High Definition

MJ. Smith

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Reading lists: Catholic Bible Interpretation

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Literary techniques of structure and emphasis

Read Appendix II: Literary Techniques which gives numerous examples.

I admit to being somewhat skeptical of the Discourse Analysis/High Definition approach used on its own. Why? Because it represents a new set of linguistic theories that have not had time to demonstrate their lasting value nor for the non-experts to have become competent in the use of the information exposed. Therefore, I like to supplement the discourse analysis identification of structure with a parallel analysis of literary devices that provide structure. They have the advantage (at times) of being known by the original author and audience. They also have a broad base of use in commentaries and studies. This has created a broad base of non-experts who are comfortable and competent with the data.

Examples of literary techniques from the appendix referred to above:

• Envelope technique (inclusio)
• Chiasm
• Sandwich (Markan intercalation) / Markan frame definition
• Catchwords
• Parallelism
  • Synonymous parallelism
  • Antithetical parallelism
  • Synthetic parallelism
  • Movement from one type to another
• Repetition
  
  Leitwort (keyword)
• Word chain
• Motif
• Formula
• Refrain (chorus)
• Letter form

Appendix I: Genre of the same resource provides similar information on how genre can define and provide structure for a passage.

High definition

The best way to understand the difference between the Discourse Analysis series of resources and the High Definition resources is to compare what is annotated. The numbers provide a key into the documentation.

Old Testament		New Testament
Discourse analysis	High definition	Discourse analysis	High definition
1. Forward-pointing devices	1. Forward-pointing tools that work alone	1. Forward-pointing devices	1. Forward-pointing tools that work alone
1.1 Point-counterpoint sets	1.1 Metacomments	Point-counterpoint sets: - point (clause level) - counterpoint (clause level) - point (paragraph level) - counterpoint (paragraph level)	Meta-comment
1.2 Forward-pointing reference and target	1.2 Attention-getters	Forward-pointing reference and target - forward-pointing reference - forward pointing target	Attention-getter
1.3 Metacomments	1.3 Repetition	Meta-comment	Repetition
1.4 Attention-getters	2 Forward-pointing tools that work in pairs	Attention-getter	Backgrounding
1.5 Redundant quotative frames	2.1 Forward-pointing reference and target	Redundant quotative frame	2. Forward-point tools that work in pairs
1.6 Tail-head linkage	2.2 Point-counterpoint sets	Historical present	Counter point (paragraph level)
2. Thematic highlighting	3. Emphasis	Tail-head linkage	Point (paragraph level)
2.1 Overspecification	4. Tools for highlighting details	2. Thematic highlighting	Counter point (sentence level)
2.2 Right-dislocation	4.1 Characterization	Overspecification	Point (sentence level)
2.3 Thematic address	4.2 Changed name	Thematic address	Forward-pointing reference
2.4 Thematic addition	4.3 Thematic address	Right-dislocation	Forward-pointing target
2.5 Near and far distinctions	4.4. Near distinction	Thematic addition	3. Emphasis
2.6 Changed reference	4.5 Far distinction	Near demonstrative pronoun	4. Tools for highlighting detail
3. Word order analysis	5. Propositional annotations	Far demonstrative pronoun	Characterization
4. Emphasis	5.1 Primary proposition: - sentence	Changed reference	Changed name
4.1 Main clause emphasis	- principle	3. Word-order analysis	Thematic address
4.2 Main clause emphasis - other	- support	3.1 Emphasis	Near distinction
4.3 Subordinate clause emphasis	- complex	Main clause emphasis	Far distinction
5 Frames of reference	5.2 Secondary proposition: sub-point	Main clause emphasis – other	5. Propositional annotations
5.1 Topical frames	- elaboration	Subordinate clause emphasis	Primary propositions: -sentence
5.2 Temporal frames	- bullet	3.2 Frames of reference	- principle
5.3 Spatial frames	6. Other annotations	Topical frame	- support
5.4 Conditional frames	6.1 Reported speech	Temporal frame	- complex
5.5 Comparative frames	6.2 Reported speech (level 2)	Spatial frame	Secondary propositions: - sub-point
5.6 reason/result frames	6.3 Reported speech (level 3)	3.2.1 Circumstantial frame	- elaboration
5.7 Left-dislocation	6.4 Unframed reported speech	Nominative circumstantial frame	- circumstance
6. Other annotations	6.5 Topic of verbless clause	Genitive circumstantial frame	- bullet
6.1 Reported speech		Dative circumstantial frame
6.2 Reported speech (level 2)		Conditional frame
6.3 Reported speech (level 3)		Comparative frame
6.4 Unframed reported speech		Reason/result frame
6.5 Topic of verbless clause		Left dislocation
7. Outline annotations		3.3 Outline annotations
7.1 Sentence		Sentence
7.2 Principle		Principle
7.3 Support		Support
7.4 Complex		Complex
7.5 Sub-point		Sub-point
7.6 Elaboration		Elaboration
7.7 Bullet		Circumstance
		Bullet
		Continuative relative clause
		Reported speech
		Topic of verbless clause

What is apparent is that there is considerable overlap between the High Definition tagging and the Discourse Analysis tagging … and that both overlap with Propositional Outlines and Reported Speech data.

The Lexham High Definition Bible shows as a single resource in the Visualization guide.

The resource has only the Bible form, there is no parallel resource filter as there is for Discourse Analysis. The Bible shows the same highlighting style, tool tip popup, and gutter line information as that seen for Discourse Analysis. Unlike the Discourse Analysis, there is no interlinear function.

Comparing High Definition and Discourse Analysis shows very similar analysis. I have not found a search argument that will identify the differences.

The High Definition Bible is supported by a series of commentaries showing how the analysis can be used in teaching and offering supporting graphics:

• Runge, Steven E. High Definition Commentary: Philippians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2011.
• Runge, Steven E. Animated High Definition Commentary: Philippians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.
• Runge, Steven E. High Definition Commentary: Romans. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.
• Runge, Steven E. High Definition Commentary: James. High Definition Commentary Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015.
• Runge, Steven E. High Definition Commentary: Galatians. Edited by Brannon Ellis. High Definition Commentary Series. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2019.