DISCOURSE MAKERS.

Discourse is a term used by grammarians to talk about "larger" pieces of speech and
writing; stretches of language longer than a sentence. There are a lot of words and expressions
that we use to show the structure of discourse. Some of these make clear the connection
between what we are going to say and what came before (for instance talking about...,
anyway, however). Some of them show our attitude to the truth of what we are saying 8for
instance I suppose, I think, frankly, sort of). And others show what kind of communication
is going on (like the use of after all in persuading, or I'm afraid in polite refusals, or actually
in "breaking news"). Expressions like these can be called discourse makers. The following
are a few of the most useful ones.

1. Linking.

Connection between what you want to say and what was said before.

Talking about... used to break into a conversation.

With reference to... used mainly at the beginning of business letters.

2. Focusing.

Used to announce what we are going to talk about.

Regarding... at the beginning of a piece of discourse.

As regards... usually announces a change of subject.
As far as .... is concerned... used in a similar way
As for... often suggests lack of interest, or dislike.

3. Structuring.

Used to show the structure of what we are saying.

3.a. Divisions.

firstly...secondly...thirdly...finally...
first of all... to begin with...
to start with...
in the first place...
for one thing... for another thing...
another thing is... (informal)
moreover in addition similarly
as well as that on top of that (informal)
besides

3.b. Contrasts with what came before.

all the same yet and yet still

on the other hand however
3.c. Logical consequence.

thus therefore so

3.d. Exemplifying and excepting.

for instance for example such as including

in particular apart from except(ing)
with the exception of etc
and so on and so forth

3.e. Generalizing

on the whole in general as a rule

in most cases in many cases broadly speaking
to some extent mostly

3.f. Clarifying

I mean that is to say in other words

4. Dismissal of previous discourse.

at any rate anyway anyhow

5. Change of subject.

by the way incidentally I say

6. Showing our attitude to what we are saying.

frankly honestly I think I feel I reckon

I guess in my view in my opinion

7. Showing one's attitude to the other person

after all No doubt I'm afraid

8. Referring to the other person's expectations.

actually as a matter of fact to tell the truth