DISCOURSE MARKERS/LINKING WORDS

BY: MARVELYN F. MANECLANG

DISCOURSE MARKERS/LINKING WORDS


Words and phrases that help you link
your ideas together
 In the middle of a At the beginning
Function
sentence a new sentence
To add a point ... and ... Also...
In addition, ...
Similarly, ...
Not only did ..., but ...
also
Moreover, ...
Furthermore, ...
To contrast two ... but ... However, ...
points ..., although ... Although ...
... on the other On the other hand ... ;
hand , ...
Yet, ...
Nevertheless, ...
In contrast, ...
 ..., for
example/instance, ...
To illustrate, or to An example of ...
...; that is, ...
give an example Clearly, ...
..., namely, ...
..., clearly ...
Then, ...
To move on to the
After this / that ...
next point
Subsequently, ...
So, ...
... because ...
Therefore, ...
To note ... as ...
As a result, ...
consequences ... since ...
Consequently, ...
... despite ...
Despite ...
Finally, ...
In conclusion, ...
To summarise or
To conclude, ...
conclude
To summarise, ...
In sum, ...
 Firstly, ...
Secondly, ...
Finally, ...
At the start of the The first point to
first sentence in the note is ...;
paragraph The second point to
note is ...;
The next point to
note is ...;
 Discourse markers

(these are words like however, although,
nevertheless) are referred to more commonly
as 'linking words' and 'linking phrases', or
'sentence connectors'. 

They may be described as the 'glue' that binds
together a piece of writing, making the
different parts of the text 'stick together'.

express different relationships between ideas.

( PROGRESSION)
Type of relationship Sentence Position within
connectors clause/sentence
Adding something Moreover; In Initial position
addition;  
Additionally;
Further; Further to
this; Also; Besides;
What is more.
Making a contrast However; On the Initial position
between two other hand; In
separate things, contrast; Yet.
people, ideas, etc.
Making an Although;  Even Initial position
unexpected contrast though; Despite the Starts a
(concession) fact that; In spite of second/ subordinate
the fact that; clause 
Regardless of the
fact that.
 Saying why Because; Since; As; Initial position
something is the Insofar as. Starts a
case second/ subordinat
e clause 
Saying what the Therefore; Initial position
result of something Consequently; In
is consequence; As a
result; Accordingly;
Hence; Thus; For this
reason; Because of
this.
Expressing a If; In the event of; As Initial position
condition long as...; So long Starts a
as...; Provided second/ subordinate
that...; Assuming clause
that...; Given that....
Making what you On the contrary; As Initial position
say stronger a matter of fact; In
fact; Indeed.
 two particular features of the sentence
connectors
 Sentence connectors can be used to begin a
new sentence or a new clause that follows a
semi-colon.
 Some sentence connectors can be placed in
different positions within the sentence:
initial position (e.g. Because he is ill, he
needs to rest.) and 'mid-way position' at the
start of another clause (e.g. He must rest,
because he is ill).
 In your own writing, it is useful to consider the following
points :

 Do my paragraphs serve a definite purpose?

 What is the exact link between the
paragraph I have written and the previous
paragraph? Is that link clear?  
 Are my paragraphs laid out strategically, in
order to help me to organise my materials to
best effect?
 Do my paragraphs help me to build up my
ideas in a logical and gradual fashion?