Introduction

Discourse Connectors in this Handbook

The Grammar of Discourse Connectors

Connectors

I. Intra-Sentential Connectors: Coordinators and Subordinators 1. Coordinators 2. Subordinators

II. Discourse Connectors Position of Discourse Connectors Register of Discourse Connectors

Unit 1 Discourse Connectors That Add Points, Examples, Arguments, or Ideas Chart 1.1 Introducting a First Supporting Point, Argument, or Idea Chart 1.2 Introducing the Most Important Example, Point, Argument, or Idea Chart 1.3 Providing a Subsequent Point, Example, Argument, or Idea in a Numerical Series Chart 1.4 Adding a Subsequent Point or Idea Chart 1.5 Adding a Final Point or Idea

Practice Exercises for Unit 1

Unit 2 Discourse Connectors that Express Time Relationships Chart 2.1 Introducing an Event in Time Chart 2.2 Introducing an Event in Time with an Expectation of Change Chat 2.3 Presenting a Subsequent Event in a Series of Events Chart 2.4 Showing Two Events Occurring at the Same Time Chart 2.5 Indicating that an Event is the Last One in a Series of Event

Exercises for Unit 2

Unit 3 Discourse Connectors that Exemplify or Illustrate Chart 3.1 Giving an Example Chart 3.2 Explaining or Illustrating a Point

Unit 4 Discourse Connectors that Signal Emphasis and Restatement Chart 4.1 Emphasizing an Idea Chart 4.2 Restating an Idea Chart 4.3 Indicating the Most Important Idea

Unit 5 Discourse Connectors that Compare Ideas Chart 5.1 Indicating Similarities Chart 5.2 Presenting Another Point, Example, Argument, or Idea of Equal Importance for Comparison

Exercises for Units 3,4,5

Unit 6 Discourse Connectors that Contrast Ideas Chart 6.1 Contrasting Ideas and Showing a Concession Chart 6.2 Contrasting an Expectation Chart 6.3 Contrasting Two Points Without Contradiction or Concession Chart 6.4 Presenting Two Contrasting Options Chart 6.5 Showing a Contradiction Between Two Points

Unit 7 Discourse Connectors That Express a Condition or Restriction Chart 7.1 Expressing a Condition or Restriction

Exercises for Units 5,6,7

Unit 8 Discourse Connectors that Signal Concession Chart 8.1 Acknowledging Another Point of View

Unit 9 Discourse Connectors that Signal Cause and Effect Chart 9.1 Showing Cause, the Reason Why an Event Occurs Chart 9.2 Showing a Causal Chain

Exercises for Units 8,9

Unit 10 Discourse Connectors that Signal Cause and Effect Chart 10.1 Making a Causal Plan

Unit 11 Discourse Connectors That Introduce a Conclusion Chart 12.1 Starting a Conclusion Which Is Based on Evidence Presented Earlier

Exercises for Units 10, 11, 12

Common Mistakes ESL Writers Make When Using Discourse Connectors Faculty Logic / Coherence Common Mistake in Logic

Consolidation Exercises

Answer to Practice Exercises

Answer to Consolidation Exercises

Index

"This Handbook is intended for university ESL learners at an intermediate or higher level of proficiency. It can be used by students in self-directed ESL learning environments, and as a supplementary instructional source by ESL teachers. -- The objective of the Handbook is to provide both ESL students and instructors with a comprehensive guide to the use of English discourse connectors. Discourse connectors refer to words or phrases that are used to connect sentences or paragraphs in a text (e.g. however, therefore, moreover, thus, in contrast, in addition). They are tools that, if used judiciously, help to achieve text cohesion, which in turn can contribute to creating text coherence. -- A number of terms are used to refer to discourse connectors. These include 'transition words', and 'logical connectors'. Throughout this Handbook we will use the term "discourse connectors". -- In this Handbook, we have chosen to deal with a selective list of the most common, frequent and useful discourse connectors. The focus here is on inter-sentential connectors (i.e., those that are used to provide links across sentences or paragraphs). Within-sentence coordinators (e/g/. and, or, but, for) and subordinators (e.g., although, since, whereas, even though), are only dealt with insofar as they clarify the meanings and grammar of across-sentence connectors. -- The discourse connectors included in this Handbook are first presented in 12 categories based on their general function or meaning. some discourse connectors have multiple functions and appear, therefore, under more than one category. These are included in bold. For example, first appears both under "adding ideas" and "expressing time relationships". Each category of discourse connectors is then explored in more depth in a separate unit. Each unit explains the meanings, functions, and appropriate use of the connectors in that category, and highlights the similarities and differences among them with illustrative examples. Other characteristics of the target discourse connectors, such as registeri information, frequency of use, common errors and their appropriate positions in sentences, are explained in Take Note sections. Grammar Alert notes explain the grammar rules governing the use of given discourse connectors. These are followed by exercises to allow practice in appropriate use of the connectors covered in the preceding unit or units.

The handbook also provides sections on Common Mistakes that ESL Writers Make When Using English Discourse Connectors, and Common Mistakes in Logic, using examples from authentic writings of university ESL learners. The underlying problems are explained and solutions for rectifying the mistakes are suggested. -- The Consolidation Exercises section provides a variety of exercises ranging from simple to more complex to allow practice and to help consolidate ESL learners' receptive and productive use of discourse connectors to academic texts. -- The final section provides an Answer Key for the exercises (i.e, the practice exercises after each unit and the consolidation exercises) in order to make the Handbook more useful in self-directed learning. An Index is also included at the end of the Handbook for easy reference to the target discourse connectors. -- The chart on the following page presents the list of discourse connectors that are examined and practiced in this Handbook. The categories are sequenced to reflect the common order in which an essay is written. Thus, discourse connectors that introduce a point are listed before the connectors for contrast, which, in turn, come before the connectors used for making concluding remarks." (p.5-6)