LIFE022 · Discourse Markers: The Architecture of a Well-Built Argument

📝 Discourse Markers: The Glue of Good Writing

Level: C1  |  Time: 5 min  |  Focus: Writing — cohesion and coherence

📖 From Sourov’s world: George Orwell said that good prose is like a windowpane — you should see through the writing, not see the writing itself. Paradoxically, achieving that transparency requires careful use of discourse markers. They are the hinges that let the reader move through an argument without noticing the door.

🔑 Discourse Markers by Function

Function	Markers
Adding	Furthermore · In addition · Moreover · What is more
Contrasting	However · Nevertheless · Nonetheless · By contrast · That said
Explaining/exemplifying	That is to say · Namely · In other words · For instance · Specifically
Summarising	In short · To sum up · Ultimately · In essence · All in all
Conceding	Admittedly · It must be acknowledged that · Granted
Emphasising	Indeed · In particular · Above all · Crucially · Notably

⚠️ Overuse Warning

Discourse markers add structure when the logic needs signposting. They are not decorations. If the logical connection is already clear, the marker is dead weight — and Orwell would cut it.
❌ “I like coffee. Furthermore, I like tea.” — the logical connection needs no marker.
✅ “Teaching grammar in isolation has limited impact. Furthermore, it may actively demotivate learners.” — the extension is non-obvious.

✏️ Quick Activity

Add an appropriate discourse marker to each gap:

1. The data supports the hypothesis. _______, the sample size is small.
2. Bilingualism has cognitive benefits. _______, it delays the onset of dementia in some studies.
3. The results were disappointing. _______, they were not entirely unexpected.
4. The method has clear advantages. _______, it is cost-effective and fast.

👀 Model Answers

1. However / That said   2. Specifically / Notably   3. Admittedly / That said   4. In particular / Indeed — many answers work; what matters is the function matches.

⭐ Takeaway: Use a discourse marker when the logical turn is non-obvious. Omit it when the connection speaks for itself. When in doubt, cut it.