DISCOURSE MARKERS AND LINKING WORDS

These are words and expressions that help connect our thoughts, and organize our discourse.

Linking words, also known as connectors, are prepositions, adverbs, conjunctions and phrases that show the relationship between ideas.

Consider the following example:

Jaqueline finished the project fast. She feels self-confident.

The sentences are clear, but there is no explicit connection between them.

Now, consider these examples:

• Jaqueline finished the project fast. Therefore, she feels self-confident.
• Jaqueline finished the project fast because she feels self-confident.

It is clear that the first example states that Jaqueline feels self-confident as a result of finishing the project. On the other hand, the second sentence expresses that the reason why she finished fast is that she feels self-confident.

Thanks to the linking words, the connection between ideas is obvious to the reader or listener.

Here is a list of common functions of linking words and some connectors.

▪ Addition:  Additionally, in addition, moreover, furthermore, what is more, besides

▪ Conclusion:  To conclude, to sum up, all in all, in conclusion, in brief

▪ Condition:  As long as, provided that, providing that, in the event of

▪ Contrast: However, nevertheless, nonetheless, while, whereas, alternatively, conversely, by contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary

▪ Surprising contrast (Concession):  Although, even though, despite, in spite of, much as

▪ Purpose:  in order to, so as to, in order that, so that

▪ Reason:  Because, because of, due to, on account of, seeing that, owing to

▪ Result: Therefore, consequently, as a result, thus, so, as a consequence

▪ Sequence:  First of all, Firstly, secondly, thirdly, afterwards, next, then, subsequently, finally, last but not least

▪ Similarity:  Similarly, likewise, equally, in the same way

Discourse markers are generally used in spoken language, and they signal how the discourse develops, or convey different attitudes. These are some functions of discourse markers.

1. To involve the listener or reach consensus: you know?, am I right?
2. To attenuate: kind of, sort of, somewhat, a bit, like, probably
3. To show doubt or make time, especially before saying something negative: um, uh, well, I’m afraid
4. To start a speech or a new topic in a conversation: so, well, okay
5. To show that you are listening: aha, right, yeah, wow, oh
6. To show truthfulness: to be honest, to tell you the truth, frankly
7. To clarify or correct something you said: I mean, in other words, what I’m trying to say is
8. To correct something you are told: actually
9. To change the topic: by the way, that reminds me of, before I forget
10. To conclude an idea or speech: anyway
11. To agree with a response: I know, right?
12. To emphasize that something is obvious: it goes without saying, needless to say, naturally, there is no doubt

Consider the fragment of the following phone call and notice the use of discourse markers.

Samuel: So [4], how’s your new job?

Kelly: Um [3], it’s good, but at times it’s very stressful, you know? [1]

Samuel: Right. [5]

Kelly: The other day I had seven meetings!

Samuel: Wow! [5] That sounds awful!

Kelly: I know, right? [11] That reminds me of [9] the meeting you were going to have with your boss to ask for a rise. How did it go?

Samuel: Well [3], to tell you the truth [6] it was a bit [2] problematic. He didn’t take it the right way.

Kelly: Oh! [5]

Samuel: Yeah, that’s why I might quit very soon. Anyway…[10] Hey, um [3], I have to go now, but it was nice talking to you!

Read the dialog and complete it with words and phrases form the box. Drag & Drop.

How Harnessing Solar Power Can Slash Energy Bills

Are you fed up with excessive electric bills? Well, look no further than solar-energy systems.

Did you know that you could cut your electrical costs and show off your environmental savvy by installing solar panels? Last year, 792 megawatts of residential solar systems were installed in the U.S.—enough to power the equivalent of more than 130,000 homes.

A case study: Cheryl and Robert Boland of Apple Valley, California, cut their monthly electrical bill from approximately $300 to about $1.75 by installing solar panels on the roof of their home.

“When I compare the cost of installing the system with what we will save on our bills over the next two decades, solar gives us an incredible return on investment,” says Cheryl. “For us, it was all about the money.”

Their neighbor, Joana Lovitz, was skeptical when she saw them getting the panels installed. “I was sort of doubtful about how useful the panels were going to be. I thought they would only waste a lot of money, you know? However, now that I have seen the bills, I’m considering setting up panels for my house,” Joana says.

Do you think you might want to give solar panels a try? Take into account these four key points:

    Quality products. Solar panels are a long-term investment in your home; you want them to last. A quality system should last for at least 25 years. The Bolands purchased their solar panels from a well-known American manufacturer.

    Experienced installation. A qualified, experienced installer not only designs your solar panels, but can also save you money by guiding you through the process of securing tax rebates and budgeting options.

    Intelligent design. Your residential solar system must be designed to produce the right amount of power for your home and lifestyle. A good installer will review your previous year’s energy bills and analyze the orientation and shading of your roof to determine the best design. Check your installer’s credentials so as to see signs of trustworthy certification, for instance, as a manufacturer’s authorized installer.

    Guaranteed performance. Firstly, be sure to choose solar panels that have gone through a factory-tested process called “plus sorting,” which ensures the panels have met or exceeded their nameplate power rating. Panels that don’t undergo this process are as much as 5 percent less efficient than advertised. Secondly, don’t forget the warranties.

In brief, solar panels provide a sustainable and affordable alternative to meet power consumption needs. Don’t wait. Save money while you help the planet.

Hewings, M. (2009). Grammar for CAE and Proficiency with answers; self-study grammar reference and practice. Cambridge University Press.

McCarthy, M. (1991). Discourse Analysis for Language Teachers (Cambridge Language Teaching Library) (1ste ed). Cambridge University Press.

Paltridge, B. (2012). Discourse Analysis (2nd edition). Bloomsbury.

Side, R., & Wellman, G. (2002). Grammar and Vocabulary for Cambridge Advanced and Proficiency. Longman.

Tannen, D., Hamilton, H. E., & Schiffrin, D. (2018). The Handbook of Discourse Analysis. Wiley.

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Practice exercise written by Ismael Centeno Leos_Licenciatura en Enseñanza de Inglés at FES ACATLÁN UNAM

Audio version performed by Salli_Voicemaker_Text to Speech Converter_; Kelly Silva and Ismael Centeno.

Practice exercise written by Ismael Centeno Leos_Licenciatura en Enseñanza de Inglés at FES ACATLÁN UNAM

Article by NewsUSA. Published May 22nd, 2020. Text retrieved and adapted from _ https://www.copyrightfreecontent.com/food/meat-shortages-mean-its-time-to-try-plant-based-protein/

Practice exercise written by Ismael Centeno Leos_Licenciatura en Enseñanza de Inglés at FES ACATLÁN UNAM

Audio version performed by Kendra_Voicemaker_Text to Speech Converter