Counterexpectancy: Exceeding Vs Limiting

Well he was an ugly guy

With an ugly face

An also-ran 

in the human race

And even God got sad 

just looking at him

— Laurie Anderson Gravity's Angel

Well	he	was	an ugly guy	with an ugly face
			an also-ran	in the human race
	Subject	Finite	Complement	Adjunct
	Mood		Residue

And	even	God	got		sad
	Mood Adjunct: intensity: counterexpectancy: exceeding	Subject	Finite	Predicator	Complement
	Mood			Residue

just	looking	at him
Mood Adjunct: intensity: counterexpectancy: limiting	Predicator	Adjunct
Mood	Residue

In terms of appraisal theory, 

the author's attitude to him is one of negative appreciation (ugly, ugly, also-ran), 

and the author's projection of God's attitude to the look of him is negative affect (sad).

A Stylistic Use Of Verbal Assignment

'We were practising for the panto Captain Ransom puts on at Christmas.'  Danny now seemed more confident.

'I can confirm that.'  Sandy confirmed it.

I	can confirm		that	Sandy	confirmed		it
Attributor	Process	Attribute	Carrier	Attributor	Process	Attribute	Carrier

Here confirm is interpreted as 'say (as) true' — the verbal assignment of an attributive relation.  It could also be interpreted as a verbal Process, though this would be less informative.

In using confirm, the author has identified the more delicate category of statement (speech function) realised by each of the clauses.

Instead of construing a projection nexus such as 'I can confirm that' said Sandy, the author has presented a quote juxtaposed with an agnate report.   In doing so, the relation between the two is effected cohesively rather than structurally: by anaphoric reference (that < it) and lexical cohesion (repetition of confirm).

This might also be seen as an ingenious way of getting around the absence of projection as a cohesive conjunctive relation.

Figure Of Saying Stylisically Realised As Circumstance Of Location

The judge clearly felt caught then.  He looked at horror at the exhibits and thought with terror of the Lord Chancellor.  'Mr Lampitt, Mr Rumpole,' he asked us without any real hope, 'are you insisting I try this case?' 

'With great respect, yes,' from Lampitt. 

'That's what it comes to, my Lord,' from me.

		Process	Sayer
With great respect	yes	from	Lampitt
		Location: motion: away from
		minor Process	Range

				Process	Sayer
That	is	what it comes to	my Lord	from	me
Token	Process	Value		Location: motion: away from
				minor Process	Range

The effect of this stylistic use of ideational metaphor is to turn projections into projectiles.  That is, it gives material motion to semiotic Locutions, such that the words of the barristers shoot out of them across the courtroom and into the judge's heart.