Rules of Signification 

Assigning larger meanings to details

Source—who is speaking and how does that shape whatever information we are getting. “Once a bitch always a bitch, what I say.” Do we trust Jason?


Physical trait links—How you look is who you are. Gregory Peck is trustworthy and Peter Lorre isn’t. (often dependent on genre)


Enchainment of action—a puppy kicker is no good


Realism—conventions of standard human behavior apply to most texts


Causation—all events in a text have causes we can fathom. Gregor is a bug for some reason. We can somehow make sense of Raskolnikov’s decision to murder.


Ironic Voice—ideas in conflict must be remedied; opposites must be deciphered.



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