Paragraphy

Paragraphy, the use of signs such as footnotes, layout, format, advance organisers and other marginalia of written text, has not been conceptualised as a system with specific semiotic functions. It is one of four interacting sign-systems at work in the constitution and use of mathematical text, where its importance has been overlooked. The main functions of paragraphy in any kind of text are text articulation and grounding. In the case of mathematics, these make essential contributions to the objective and certain character of its truths.