Originally published in 1980, the theory of macrostructures outlined in this book is the result of research carried out during the previous 10 years in the domains of literary theory, text grammar, the general theory of discourse, pragmatics, and the cognitive psychology of discourse processing.

Preface. 1. The Concept of Macrostructure 2. Macrostructures in Discourse 3. Macrostructures and Superstructures 4. Macrostructures in Action and Interaction 5. Pragmatic Macrostructures 6. Macrostructures and Cognition. References. Author Index. Subject Index.