Discourse function

Intonation can signal to the listener what is to be taken as new information and what is already given; it can suggest when the speaker is making some sort of contrast or link with material in another tone-unit.

Study the following example:

A: How can I help you?

B: I’ve hurt my hand.

A: How did it happen?

B: I was opening a tin. It was hard to open, and I was in a hurry. When it was half open| the tin- opener slipped. I cut my hand. There was blood ^ everywhere. It was horrible.