ESL Blogs

Discourse markers? Unfamiliar to you, right? In fact, you use discourse markers more often than you may think. 

A discourse marker is a word or phrase that is used to connect or organize what you say or write, for example, 'so', 'OK', 'right' and 'by the way/incidentally' are often used as discourse markers. Some people might call them 'linking words' or 'linking adverbials', though. 

You may be familiar with the following discourse markers: as far as...is concerned, on the other hand, however, similarly, even so, on the contrary, at least, now, to begin/start with, besides, in general, except for, for instance, then, I mean, I think/I guess, you know, frankly/honestly, look, no doubt, actually, in conclusion, and so on. 

So, it makes sense to learn about discourse markers. You could write a blog by using some discourse markers or join us in the challenge by adding a comment on this topic. 

Sample paragraph by Expector

First(ly), I think it's time we had one more blog challenge. No doubt you'll find it fun yet challenging. Second(ly), some members have already suggested we (should) talk about discourse markers, while some may not think it's a good idea to use so many discourse markers in a paragraph.  Sure, don't over-use them. Moreover, it's just a blog/writing challenge for us to learn more about the useful 'markers'. In addition, I kind of think I may have failed to 'hit the nail on the head'. Anyway, what really counts is we've got another opportunity to write. 

Your turn...

'hit the nail on the head' = 'say something that is exactly right'