Discourse Markers
How can discourse markers help my learners become critical readers?

​Understanding discourse markers, or literacy cues, will help your learners become a critical reader. These cues and markers are used by writers and speakers to signal a change in topic, add information, provide support, or coherently transition between ideas. Therefore, once they have learned these cues or markers they will be better able to see the purpose, the organization, and flow of an author's or speaker's ideas (Weber & Stolle, 2011).
Paragraph Function and Purpose
Paragraphs have many different functions. Critical readers can figure out the purpose of each paragraph and how they work together. Click here to learn more about the 18 basic paragraph functions from the University of Washington's writing handbook.
Transition Words and Phrases
Tranisitions help learners see the flow of and connections between ideas. They also help add clarity (understanding) and coherence (connections & logic) to a text. Rather than create a comprensive list of transition words, here are some current lists and examples.
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Smart Words' cohesive devices--transition words and conjunctions
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Study Guides and Strategies' transition words & phrases and more transitions
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Austin Peay State University's Writing lab's transition words and phrases
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University of Wisconsin's writing handbook's transition words & phrases
How Can I Teach my Learners about Discourse Markers?
Dr. Stacia Levy, at University of the Pacific in Stockton, recommeneds the following activities when teaching discourse markers:
(visit http://busyteacher.org/10076-how-and-why-to-teach-discourse-markers.html for more information.)
Raise awareness.
Look for discourse markers in readings.
Match discourse markers to their meanings.
Delete markers and have learners make substitutions.
Jumble Words: Create marker cards to practice with.
Give out a list.
Write some dialogue using assigned words or situations.
Perform the dialogue.
Assign writing with markers.
Have learners edit each other’s work.