Listening+for+Discourse+Markers

Some words and phrases help to develop ideas and relate them to one another. These kinds of words and phrases are often called discourse markers. Note that most of these discourse markers are formal and used when speaking in a formal context. It is important to listen for these words because they provide a sort of language map to help you follow the organizational pattern of what you are listening to. Listening for discourse markers is important for note taking because even if you miss something, you can get back on track when you hear a discourse marker. //Some Common Discourse Markers// ■__Balancing contrasting points__ on the other hand, while, whereas ■__Emphasizing a Contrast__ however, nevertheless, mind you, still, yet; in spite of this ■__Similarity__ similarly, in the same way ■__Contradicting__ on the contrary ■__Adding__ Moreover, furthermore, in addition, as well as ■__Generalizing__ on the whole, in general ■__Giving Examples__ for instance, for examples ■__Logical Consequences__ therefore, as a result, consequently ■__Structuring__ firstly, first of all, secondly, lastly, finally, to begin with, in the first/second/third place ■__Concluding__ in conclusion, to sum up, in short