Discourse Markers  A broad statement about a group of people or things

 Words or phrases such as okay, anyway, as I  It states something they have in common
mentioned, to begin with, sure thing.  None, sometimes, generally, commonly, mostly,
 Used to link ideas, consolidate your views and always, never, at all times, usually, all, no one,
manage your statements, or even to express a not all, seldom, most, many
different level of attitude towards the person you are o Valid
talking with.  True
 Oh, well, right, so, fine  Supported by facts
 Great, now, good, really, sure  Agrees with what you know about the
 Ah, like, you know, and so, as I say topic
 Come on, actually, as a matter of fact, alright, so  Uses logic and reasoning
true  Proven with several examples
 Mind you, anyway, then, in fact, truly, anyhow, o Faulty
at that rate  False
o To change a topic  Not supported by facts
o To illustrate sequences  Watch for keywords: none, all, always,
o To indicate an alternative view never, everyone, nobody.
o To simply respond
o To direct a negative remark “MODAL PHRASE is also known as double modal,
semi-modal, and marginal modal.”
 Can/May be able to
“COULD is considered a more polite expression than
 To show ability and permission
can.”
“CAN is the most commonly used modal.”  Will be able to
Modals  To show ability
 Auxiliary verbs or helping verbs because they help  Won’t be able to
complete the meaning of the verb  To illustrate a negative thought
 Are types of helping verbs that are used to express  Had better
probability, obligation, ability, agreement, and the  To give advice
like.  Would rather
 Can – to show ability and permission  To give an option
 May – to illustrate probability and permission  Linking verb + able to
 Must – to display a strong obligation and  To show ability
standpoint
 Would – to give a suggestion or a request
 Should – to give a recommendation
 Shall – to express an improbable action in the
future
 Might – to express a degree of probability

Mood
 The feeling of the reader towards the selection
 Atmosphere or the feel of the story
 Evokes the reader’s emotion
Tone
 Feeling of the author in the selection
 Reflects the author’s attitude towards the subject

Generalization