Openers

Abstract

Using opener to group together information at the top of a division (especially in letters); the usual contents of opener

opener argument epigraph date heading salutation
opener epigraph date head salute

Encoding Instructions (new P5 version)

THe WWP uses the opener element to group together certain kinds of information which typically appear at the beginning of a division. This information is often associated with letters, but may also be found in other kinds of division. It includes:

argument: used for an argument (a short section, possibly a single paragraph, summarizing the contents of the division).

epigraph: used for a brief quotation (usually from another text)

dateline: used for the date and/or place of writing; includes placeName and date elements

respLine: used for information identifying the writer or the person responsible for the text

salute: used for phrases like “To the Reader” or “Dear Sir” or “To my most noble Lord”, phrases addressing the reader.

The WWP always uses opener when one or more of these elements is present.

Note that some of this information may also appear in a heading, and it may sometimes be difficult to decide whether a given phrase (such as “To the Reader”) should be encoded with head or with opener and salute. As a guideline, the first textual element within a div should be assumed to be a head unless there is a strong reason for treating it otherwise. A good example of such a reason might be a collection of letters, where each separate <div type="letter"> might begin with a dateline or with the salute, “Dear ...”, neither of which should be encoded as a heading.

Examples

Example 1: 
            <div type="prefatory">
              <head>To the Reader</head> 
              <opener>
                <salute>Gracious Reader</salute>
              </opener> 
              <p>text of div
              </p>
            </div> 
Example 2: 
          <div type="dedication">
            <head>To His most Sacred Majesty, <persName>Charles the Second</persName>...</head>
            <opener>
              <salute>May it please your Majesty,<salute>
            </opener> ...
          </div> 
Example 3: 
          <div type="letter">
            <head>To my love, From your doting husband.</head>
            <opener>
              <dateline>
                <placeName>London</placeName>,
                <date when="1746-03-18">18 March 1746</date>
              </dateline>
              <salute>My dear <persName>Mary</persName>,</salute>
            </opener> [. . .]
            </div>