Recognizing and interpreting discourse markers To interpret the underlying pattern of meaning in a text, a reader has to identify and

interpret the discourse markers (cohesive devices) used accurately. Discourse markers are like sign posts in a text. They are signal words, phrases or statements used in a text to enhance coherence i.e. tie together the underlying patterns of meaning and indicate their interrelationship. They are used in a text to also indicate the main line of thought and its development. They can also be used to indicate the writers views of the presented ideas and the functional values of some specific sentences. In enhancing coherence these markers may explicitly indicate the texts thought progression and even the relationship between various parts of the text. A word like therefore may indicate movement from the general to the specific. They may for example indicate a reversal or a conclusion of thought, hence indicating transition in the writers thoughts, therefore acting as transitional clues. For example when indicating continuity and a close relationship between one part of the text and another, a writer may use markers such as; in addition, furthermore also etc. indicating reversal; however, on the other hand, on the contrary. When indicating conclusion of thought; therefore, thus, finally, hence, as a result etc. In highlighting his main line of thought and its development in the general and the teat organization, a writer may use some of the following markers; Re-expressing; that is to say, or rather i.e. to put it another way Sequencing; first of all, next, at this point, in conclusion etc Specifying; namely, i.e. to say etc Referring; in this respect, in that connection, concerning this. Resuming; resuming, back to the argument, to retain to the previous point Focusing; lets consider, we must turn to, in this chapter Exemplifying; to illustrate, thus, for example, hence etc Concluding; finally, hence, to sum up in short, in conclusion etc The discourse markers may also indicate to the reader the relative importance and attitude a writer attaches to the issues hes dealing with. He may for example consider them unexpected, hypothetical, factual or similar to others. Based on their functions in a text, discourse markers can be grouped into four main groups: Additives Introduce further facts to enforce those already dealt with e.g. also again, furthermore, etc. Adducives Re emphasize points further by forwarding examples incidentally, more over etc. Adversatives Introduce information that the writer considers contrary to what is expected, hoped for, or has already been stated but, however, nevertheless, although etc.

Casuals Are those markers that are used to indicate the cause-effect relationship between facts, or parts of the writer arguments or results of conditions e.g. so, hence, for, this reason, because, on the account of this, as a result, arising from this so that, in order, in that case, etc.