An experimental investigation of contingent query sequences?

Abstract
Linguistic markers of cohesion were investigated in a three‐element sequence formed from a contextually dependent question, its antecedent, and possible responses. Two predictions concerning the interrelationships of the elements were tested. The predictions were derived from a descriptive model of “contingent query” sequences. Sixteen adult subjects listened to a tape recorded conversation fragment and selected an appropriate response from among three written alternatives. Results confirmed the predictions and indicated that both lexicogrammatical and intonational features function to link the elements in the sequence. Other linguistic and pragmatic characteristics of the sequence are discussed and proposals for further research on these characteristics are offered.

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