'Why…?' asks for an explanation or a justification.

'How…?' asks for an articulation, breaking something down in parts or steps, or putting something into words.

Questions about how texts work are precluded by the belief that one knows what counts as work.

How texts mean, before 'what does he mean?'.

How texts work, before 'what's been done?'.

You really must admire any work in whose blurb the aggrieved or bewildered phrase 'Why the fuck…?' occurs.

Since the detective usually never finds the body, she must almost always be called in; so she can always be shown being called away.

'… he begins to search for the kind of statement that will show a way rather than be an answer, invite a further question rather than elicit direct assent.'

If my words, too, are people, then wouldn't they also just be gatherings I've been at?

'How To Do Things With Words': along with them, working together; not as if they are our instruments.

… which leaves open the possibility that we are theirs.

If words are people, then what are we? —Maybe if we stay quiet we'll find out.