DISCOURSE MARKERS, FIXED

EXPRESSIONS, AND HEADS

Oral Production II
 SPEECH FEATURES

3. DISCOURSE MARKERS
Expressions that mark boundaries in conversation. When
taken out of the context in which they are used, they rarely
mean something, but within context they give us extra
information relating to the interaction that is taken place.
 SPEECH FEATURES

Classification of Discourse Markers: each one has its own purpose

a. Focus: as far as ... is concerned, speaking of which
b. Clarification: I mean, actually, in other words, that is (to say)
c. Contrast: on the other hand, mind you, whereas, though / although, instead of
d. Dismissal of previous discourse: anyway, whatever
e. Change of subject: whatever, by the way, ok
f. Consequence: so, then, as a result
e. Introduce topic: first of all, to start with
g. Conclude: finally, in conclusion
h. Add information: and eventually, apart from + noun, in addition to + noun, what's more
i. Explain causes: because of + noun, due to + noun, for this/that reason
j. Opinion: in my opinion, personally, to be honest
k. Examples: for example, for instance, such as
Fixed expression (CHUNKS)
Pre-formulated/pre-fabricated expressions. Groups of words or
phrases which can be often identified as a single unit of
meaning.

Examples include:
all of a sudden
come into mind
I can assure you
so to speak
trinomials (3-word fixed expressions); e.g. "lights,
camera, action", "signed, sealed, delivered".
As a matter of fact,
As far as I’m concerned,
 That’s a good point.
HEADS

They identify key information for listeners, by placing a noun or

a noun phrase at front of an utterance.

Examples:
- That man over there, he’s my English teacher.
- The book on the table, that’s my new agenda.
CLASS ACTIVITY

• Elaborate a brief conversation in which you include the

speech features seen in class .
• In the case of fixed expressions, you must add others not the
same used previously.
• You must indicate in which part of your conversation these
speech features are present.