在具体的研究过程中，张玮采用了首先进行理论建构，然后进行分层论证的方式。《隐喻的谋篇机制研究》在研究前人的理论模式的基础上，通过改造和补充、完善构建出一个多层次研究隐喻的理论框架，包括词汇语法层、语义层、语用层和认知层，隐喻在不同的层面上发挥不同的作用，即在认知层面上对隐喻进行投射和融合，在语用层面对隐喻进行识别和协商，在语义层面对隐喻进行构建和联系，最终由词汇语法来体现。通过对不同层面上隐喻的表现来解释和评价语篇的连贯。在其后的三章中，张玮分别探讨了隐喻在语义、语用和认知三个层面上对语篇连贯所作的贡献。

Chapter 1 Introduction/1

1.1 A Discoursal Turn of Metaphor Research/1

1.2 Metaphor and Discourse Coherence/6

1.3 Aims of the Present Study/11

1.4 An Overview of the Book/14

Chapter 2 Metaphor in Discourse Analysis/16

2.1 Introduction/16

2.2 Aspects of Discourse Functions of Metaphor/19

2.3 Metaphor in Discourse Comprehension/26

2.3.1 Metaphor in Comprehending Literary Discourse/26

2.3.2 Metaphor in Comprehending Educational Discourse/29

2.3.3 Metaphor in Comprehending Scientific Discourse/31

2.3.4 Metaphor in Critical Discourse Analysis/34

2.4 Metaphor in Discourse Construction/39

2.4.1 Metaphor and Global Construction of Discourse/39

2.4.2 Metaphor and Local Construction of Discourse/46

2.5 Summary/54

Chapter 3 Towards A Metaphor Theoretical Approach to the Study of Discourse Coherence/57

3.1 Introduction/57

3.2 Three Approaches to Coherence Research: An Overview/58

3.2.1 Semantic Approach to Discourse Coherence/59

3.2.2 Pragmatic Approach to Discourse Coherence/60

3.2.3 Cognitive Approach to Discourse Coherence/62

3.3 An Integrative Study of Discourse Coherence/64

3.4 Exploring Levels of Metaphors in Discourse/73

3.4.1 Cameron's Applied Linguistic Approach/73

3.4.2 Steen's Metaphor Checklist/76

3.4.3 Charteris Black's Discourse Model of Metaphor/78

3.4.4 A Proposed Model on Levels of Metaphors in Discourse/80

3.5 Towards a Metaphor Theoretical Framework for Discourse

 Coherence Research/83

3.5.1 Cognitive level Metaphor in Discourse Coherence/84

3.5.2 Pragmatic level Metaphor in Discourse Coherence/85

3.5.3 Semantic level Metaphor in Discourse Coherence/87

3.6 Summary/88

Chapter 4 Semantic level Metaphor in Discourse Coherence/91

4.1 Introduction/91

4.2 Metaphor Configuration in Discourse/93

4.2.1 Metaphor Sequencing/94

4.2.2 Metaphor Merging/104

4.3 Metaphor Connection in Discourse/114

4.3.1 Metaphoric Reference/114

4.3.2 Metaphoric Conjunction/121

4.3.3 Metaphoric Lexical Cohesion/126

4.4 Discourse Context and the Interpretation of SM in Discourse/133

4.4.1 Pre text/134

4.4.2 Posttext/136

4.4.3 Discourse Context and Metaphoric Chunk/138

4.4.4 Other Effects of Discourse Context/139

4.5 Summary/141

Chapter 5 Pragmatic level Metaphor in Discourse Coherence/145

5.1 Introduction/145

5.2 Metaphor Recognition in Discourse: A Speech Act Approach/150

5.1 A Metaphoric Speech Act Model for Discourse Coherence/151

5.2.2 Metaphor Awareness/158

5.2.3 Metaphor Inference/169

5.3 Metaphor Negotiation in Discourse: A Conversational Analysis/184

5.3.1 Local Structure of Metaphoric Conversation/185

5.3.2 Global Structure of Metaphoric Conversation/195

5.4 Situational Context and the Interpretation of PM in Discourse/202

5.4.1 Field/203

5.4.2 Tenor/205

5.4.3 Mode/208

5.5 Summary/211

Chapter 6 Cognitive level Metaphor in Discourse Coherence/214

6.1 Introduction,/214

6.2 Metaphoric Mapping in Discourse/217

6.2.1 Types of Mapping and Their Realization in Discourse/217

6.2.2 Manners of Mapping and Their Realization in Discourse/235

6.3 Metaphoric Blending in Discourse/247

6.3.1 Composition/249

6.3.2 Completion/256

6.3.3 Elaboration/259

6.4 Cognitive Context and the Interpretation of CM in Discourse/263

6.4.1 Encyclopedic Knowledge/263

6.4.2 Socio cultural Pattern/268

6.5 Summary/273

Chapter 7 Conclusion/276

7.1 Major Findings of the Present Research/276

7.2 Major Implications/281

7.2.1 Theoretical Implications/281

7.2.2 Pedagogical Implications/283

7.3 Limitations and Directions for Future Studies/287

References/290