The Identity Of Theory And Explanatory Framework

a theory	provides	an explanatory framework [for some observation]
Token	Process: identifying: possession: benefaction	Value

See also David Rose Following Jim Martin In Confusing Description With Theory

Counterexpectancy: Exceeding Vs Limiting

Well he was an ugly guy

With an ugly face

An also-ran 

in the human race

And even God got sad 

just looking at him

— Laurie Anderson Gravity's Angel

Well	he	was	an ugly guy	with an ugly face
			an also-ran	in the human race
	Subject	Finite	Complement	Adjunct
	Mood		Residue

And	even	God	got		sad
	Mood Adjunct: intensity: counterexpectancy: exceeding	Subject	Finite	Predicator	Complement
	Mood			Residue

just	looking	at him
Mood Adjunct: intensity: counterexpectancy: limiting	Predicator	Adjunct
Mood	Residue

In terms of appraisal theory, 

the author's attitude to him is one of negative appreciation (ugly, ugly, also-ran), 

and the author's projection of God's attitude to the look of him is negative affect (sad).

A Stylistic Use Of Verbal Assignment

'We were practising for the panto Captain Ransom puts on at Christmas.'  Danny now seemed more confident.

'I can confirm that.'  Sandy confirmed it.

I	can confirm		that	Sandy	confirmed		it
Attributor	Process	Attribute	Carrier	Attributor	Process	Attribute	Carrier

Here confirm is interpreted as 'say (as) true' — the verbal assignment of an attributive relation.  It could also be interpreted as a verbal Process, though this would be less informative.

In using confirm, the author has identified the more delicate category of statement (speech function) realised by each of the clauses.

Instead of construing a projection nexus such as 'I can confirm that' said Sandy, the author has presented a quote juxtaposed with an agnate report.   In doing so, the relation between the two is effected cohesively rather than structurally: by anaphoric reference (that < it) and lexical cohesion (repetition of confirm).

This might also be seen as an ingenious way of getting around the absence of projection as a cohesive conjunctive relation.