The twenty (20) demarcation identifiers are listed below. These were identified for their ability to transition the student to a new literary unit, sub-unit, or other change:
A beginning phrase—Words that transition the reader from one topic or sub-topic to another: But; For this reason; Furthermore; Now; Then; Therefore. See also v. 3A in Daniel 5:1-30.
A change of characters—An introduction of a new actor or set of actors: He said to His disciples; Now a new king; He summoned the twelve; Now there was a man. See also v. 2A in 2 Chronicles 5:2-14.
A change of flow—A shift in presentation, sometimes suddenly: He said, “Who are you?”; It shall come about; Now when they heard this; So also it is written. See also v. 5A in Daniel 5:1-30.
A change of genre—A switch to/from narrative, poetry, prophecy, letters, songs, genealogy: Now these are the ordinances; A prayer of Habakkuk; These also are proverbs of Solomon. See also v. 24A in Matthew 13:24-30,36-43.
A change of location—A movement from one physical place to another: And He led them out; When Elijah returned; Jesus went away from there. See also vv. 36A, 39A in Acts 9:32-43.
A change of scene—Something changed often without mention of a location, time, or other change: Then another sign appeared; I again saw under the sun; So Joshua burned Ai. See also v. 14A in Luke 11:14-26.
A change of speaker—Someone else speaks, possibly even the narrator: God said to Moses; Jesus answered them; Moses therefore spoke. See also v. 5 in Jeremiah 28:1-17.
A change of time—A clear reference to time such as hours, days, weeks, on the day of, or afterwards: After these things; At the end of every seven years; And when eight days had passed; In that day. See also v. 19A in John 20:19-29.
A change of topic—A clearly different discussion than what preceded the current one. Sometimes the topical change does not have text, as seen in the beginning marker for 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.
A divine oracle—Reference to a directive from the LORD: declares the LORD; Then the LORD said; Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying. See also v. 1A, 4A in Isaiah 56:1-7.
A genealogy marker—A record of the generations, sometimes as a formula: [name] reigned [ ] years; xxx was [ ] years old; yyy became king in his place; these were the sons of zzz. See also v. 1A in Jeremiah 28:1-17.
A grammatical change—A significant switch in semantic meaning. For example, a change of nouns/pronouns from "him" to "you", or verbs such as past to future tenses, or indirect to direct speech. In 2 Timothy 1:1,2; 4:9-22, there is a change from past tense to future tense between v. 4:17B and v. 4:18A. See also v. 22A in Daniel 5:1-30.
A personal address—Vocative words to a recipient: My brethren; O LORD; O God; O Jerusalem; my beloved; my son; little children. See also v. 7A, 11A in 1 John 4:7-19.
A poetic marker—Selah. See also vv. 4B, 8B in Psalm 62:1-12.
A postscript—Concluding words of a structure or a substructure: And the angel departed; To Him be the glory forever; Thus Moses finished the work. See also v. 43 in Acts 9:32-43.
A question—Part of the rhetoric: Who? What? When? Why? Will? Have you? How? Is there?: What do you think? Are these things so? To whom then will you liken God? See also v. 1A in 1 Corinthians 6:1-11.
A repeated phrase—A repetition such as an anaphora or epiphora: I am the LORD your God; And all the people shall say, 'Amen'; just as the LORD had commanded Moses; Now the rest of the acts of [xxxxx]. See also vv. 6B, 8B, 9B, 10B, 11B in Amos 4:1-13.
A title—The opening words or superscription of a book or psalm: A Psalm of David; In the beginning; Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus; The words of Amos. See also v. 1A in Psalm 62:1-12.
An imperative—A strong directive or command: Beware; Hear, O Israel!; Praise the LORD!; Vindicate me, O God; Remember those who led you; Sing to the LORD a new song. See also v. 3:12 in Joshua 3:12; 4:1-9,19 - 5:1.
An interjection—An emphatic alert of what iimmediately follows: And behold; Esau said, 'Behold'; Woe to him who; Behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. See also v. 1A in Isaiah 42:1-9.