A Study On The Narrative Structure Of Complaints

The present study, from a linguistic perspective, probes into the narrative structure of complaints and its functions in relation to the litigation goals. A theoretical framework for the present study has been proposed based upon the Labovian model of narrative structure and Halliday's three metafunctions. Following this framework, the present research is intended to address the following two questions: (1) What is the narrative structure of a complaint? (2) How are the three metafunctions realized in the narrative structure of complaints in relation to the litigation goals? It is found that Abstract is missing in the narrative structure of complaints for saving the time and space so that the litigation can be promptly started. It is also found that Orientation, Evaluation and Coda are obligatory in complaints while Complicating action and Resolution turn out to be optional therein. As to the three metafunctions embodied in the narrative structure of complaints, we discover that, in terms of the experiential function, Material processes dominate the whole complaint to effectively uncover the happening of the dispute in Complicating action and to draw conclusions in the material processes of "doing" in Coda. Relational processes are frequently used to define the relationship of the parties to the dispute and sometimes are used to define the nature of the dispute in Orientation. In terms of the interpersonal metafunction, we find that Mood of statement runs through the whole complaint in order to guarantee the objectivity of the narratives in the complaint in the form of Statement. Theme, Thematic progression and cohesion in the narrative structure of complaints are analyzed in the discussion of the textual function. It is concluded that the narrative structure and the concrete linguistic devices for realizing three metafunctions in complaints are all deployed for the purpose of maintaining the conciseness and effectiveness of complaints and, in the long run, efficiently realizing the litigation goals.