Discourse Markers Workshop

Cohesion vs Coherence
Very briefly, a text is cohesive if its elements are linked together, and coherent if it makes
sense. These are not necessarily the same thing. That is, a text may be cohesive (i.e. linked
together), but incoherent (i.e. meaningless). Here is one such text:

I am a teacher. The teacher was late for class. Class rhymes with grass. The grass is always
greener on the other side of the fence. But it wasn't.

Each sentence is notionally linked to the one that precedes it, using both lexical and
grammatical means, but the text is ultimately senseless.

The exact relationship between cohesion and coherence is a matter of some contention.
While it is true that a sequence of unlinked utterances can make sense, it is often the case
that some form of linking, e.g. with discourse markers such as ‘and’, ‘but’ and ‘so’ (or the
more formal variants ‘moreover’, ‘however’ and ‘consequently’) makes it easier for the reader
(or listener) to process and to make sense of what they read (or hear).

Nevertheless, a text which is poorly organized is not going to be made more coherent
simply by ‘peppering it’ with discourse markers. The following text is an example of a text that
is overloaded with discourse markers. It is somewhat typical of the kind of texts that many
students produce as a result of an over-emphasis on linking devices at the expense of other
ways of making texts cohesive, of which probably the most important is the careful use of
vocabulary.

Louie rushed and got ready for work, but, when he went out the door, he saw the
snowstorm was very heavy. Therefore, he decided not to go to work. Then, he sat down to
enjoy his newspaper. However, he realized his boss might get angry because he did not go to
the office. Finally, he made another decision, that he must go to work. So, he went out the
door and walked to the bus stop.

Put simply then: cohesion is a formal feature of texts (it gives them their texture), while
coherence is "in the eye of the beholder" - that is to say, it is the extent to which the reader
(or listener) is able to infer the writer's (or speaker's) communicative intentions. Thus,
cohesion is objectively verifiable (you can actually see or hear it), while coherence is more
subjective. A text may be coherent to you, but incoherent to me.

Adapted from: http://www.onestopenglish.com/section.asp?docId=154867

Cohesion refers to ‘the linguistic elements that help to make a discourse semantically
coherent’. The words and phrases used to achieve cohesion are often referred to as
discourse markers (also known as cohesive devices, linkers, connectors, transition signals,
and signposts).

Task 1: Underline/highlight the discourse markers in the sentences below before

moving on to discuss their function.

a. Furthermore, child mortality rates must be examined.

b. Prices are rising worldwide, thus encouraging investment.

c. Due to the high rate of inflation, interest rates were raised.

d. Finally, the role of the computer in education will be discussed.

e. Various writers have examined this issue, for instance, Van Exel (2000).

f. Although this study concentrates mainly on students from abroad, ….

Task 2: The following text is not easy to understand. That is because the discourse
markers have been removed. Add appropriate discourse markers so that the text
makes sense.
There are two reasons for supporting pure scientific research. ………………………. (1), it satisfies
humans’ natural curiosity about the universe in which we live ................................... (2), technological
advances that followed on from pure scientific research have led to improvement in our lives.
……………………………….. (3), the non-stick coating on saucepans has made washing the dishes so
much easier. ……………………………….. (4), improved aeroplane materials have made flying faster,
quieter and cheaper ............................(5), we should be grateful for pure scientific research.

Exploration of space has resulted in improved understanding about weather systems on other
planets and moons in our solar system. ……………................. , (6) we have an improved
understanding of the earth’s weather systems ……………………………… (7) the consequences of
future changes such as global warming.

It is so easy for scientific advances to cause problems. ……………………………….. (8), nuclear energy
sounded wonderful when it was first developed, ……………………… (9) of its expected low cost
…………………………………. (10) lack of pollution. Safety was a concern and was taken seriously,
………………………….. (11) careful precautions were usually taken, and in most cases these did actually
result in a low chance of an accident ....................................... (12), nothing is perfect, including safety
systems, and when problems do happen, the consequences are extremely serious.
……………………………. (13), although actual operation of a nuclear reactor produces little visible
pollution, disposal of the radioactive materials that are produced is extremely difficult and expensive
and, ……………………………… (14), nuclear power is now considered too expensive in many countries.
……………………………. (15), many governments have stopped planning to build more nuclear reactors.
This example clearly shows that the miracle of yesterday may become the disaster of tomorrow. Not
every scientific advance has the expected result

Task 3: Read through the text again, this time categorizing the discourse markers
according to function. ‘Therefore’, for example, is used to express
‘reason/result/cause and effect’. Also, what can you say about the position of the
discourse marker in the sentence?
Task 4: Write a brief paragraph using sequence discourse markers, describing
the ‘writing an essay’ flowchart below.

Task 5: What is the function of the following short text? Highlight/Underline all the
discourse markers, including those associated with the specific function of the text.

French and American business managers have decidedly different management styles.
French meetings, for example, are long and rambling and rarely end on time. Furthermore,
meetings often end without closure. Americans, on the other hand, make an effort to start
and stop a meeting on time, and American business meetings typically end with decisions
and action plans. Another difference involves documentation. Americans adore
documentation; they have a procedure manual for everything. The French, in contrast, think
this is childish. French managers find it difficult to stick to a schedule, but American
managers are intolerant of delays. In addition, the French prefer to work alone, whereas
Americans like to work in teams. Another major difference in management style is that in
French companies, authority comes from the top; French managers do not share information
with subordinates and make decisions with little participation by employees beneath them.
In American companies, however, top managers share information and frequently solicit
input from subordinates.
 Task 6: Read the following two paragraphs. What is their function? Underline/
Highlight all the discourse markers, especially those associated with the main
function of the texts.

PCs versus Macs

Paragraph 1
If you are planning to buy a personal computer, you should know some of the basic similarities
and differences between PCs and Macs. First of all, both PCs and Macs are composed of the same
elements: a CPU, the electronic circuitry to run the computer; memory (hard and/or floppy disk
drives) for storing information; five input devices such as a keyboard or mouse for putting
information into the computer; and output devices such as a monitor, printer, and audio
speakers for conveying information. They also have the same uses: PCs are used to communicate
on computer networks, to write (with the help of word processing and desktop publishing
software), to track finances, and to play games. Macs are likewise used to communicate, write,
calculate, and entertain.

Paragraph 2
There are some differences, however. Whereas you will find more PCs in business offices, you will
find more Macs in classrooms. Although Macs are the computers of choice of people who do a lot
of art and graphic design in their work, PCs seem to be the choice of people who do a lot of
‘number crunching’. Finally, there is a difference in the availability of software, vendors, and
service for the two computers. In general, there is a lot of PC-compatible software, but relatively
little Mac software. Furthermore, for a Mac, you must purchase your machine and get service
from a Macintosh-authorized dealer, whereas many different computer stores sell and service
PCs.
Source: Oshima, A. & Hogue, A. (1999). Writing Academic English,Third edition. White Plains NY: Pearson education

Task 7
Find three items that could be used in the place of First
Find three items that could be used in the place of Second
Find three items that could be used in the place of Lastly
Find three items similar in meaning to immediately.
Find three items similar in meaning to at the same time.
Find three items similar in meaning to finally.
Find three items similar in meaning to in other words.
Find four items similar in meaning to similarly.
Find five items similar in meaning to by contrast .
Find 12 items similar in meaning to but. (Note the degrees of formality.)
Find three items similar in meaning to in brief.
Find four items similar in meaning to in general.
Find two items that can mean for example.
Find two more items that can mean mainly.
Find two items similar in meaning to anyway.
Find the item closest in meaning to by the way.
Find one informal and four formal items that can mean as a result.
Find two words that can mean in that case.