Discourse Markers in IELTS Speaking: Practical Guide
Learn what discourse markers are and how to use them to connect ideas naturally, improve fluency, and raise your IELTS Speaking score.
What are discourse markers?
Discourse markers are words or phrases used to organize, adjust, or connect different parts of a speech. They are like traffic signs on the road, helping the listener know that you are about to switch to a new idea, provide an example, or express an opinion.
Examples: Well, Actually, Anyway, On the other hand, To sum up …
Discourse markers are divided into many functional groups, and flexibly using these groups is the key to achieving a high band score.
1. For stalling for time (Hesitation devices)
These are phrases that help you naturally gain a few extra seconds to think without interrupting your fluency.
| Function | Discourse markers | Application example |
|---|---|---|
| Thinking/Considering | Well, Let me see, That's a tricky question… | Q: What do you think is the biggest problem in your city? A: Well, that's a tricky question, but if I had to choose one, I'd say traffic congestion is the major concern. |
| Giving an opinion | To be honest, From my perspective, Frankly speaking... | Q: Do you enjoy cooking? A: To be honest, it's not really my forte, but I do enjoy baking from time to time. |
2. For adding and ordering ideas (Adding and Ordering)
These phrases can help your speech have a clear and easy-to-follow structure, which is very useful when answering questions in Part 3.
| Function | Discourse markers | Application example |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering | First of all, Secondly, Finally... | Q: What are the benefits of studying abroad? A: First of all, it expands your perspective. Secondly, it truly improves your language skills. |
| Adding ideas | Moreover, Furthermore, In addition to that, Not only that... | I love living in the city. Furthermore, public transportation is incredibly convenient, making my daily commute much easier. |
3. For contrasting and shifting topic (Contrasting and Shifting Topic)
By using these phrases, you can transition smoothly from one point of view to an opposing one, or shift to a related topic.
| Function | Discourse markers | Application example |
|---|---|---|
| Contrasting | However, On the other hand, Nevertheless, Mind you... | Studying online is convenient. On the other hand, it often lacks the personal interaction you get in a traditional classroom. |
| Shifting topic | Speaking of that, Changing the subject, As for... | Speaking of technology, I think its impact on education has been nothing short of revolutionary. |
4. For concluding or giving examples (Concluding and Giving Examples)
These phrases are often used heavily in Part 2 to conclude and in Part 3 to summarize ideas.
| Function | Discourse markers | Application example |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | For instance, Such as, Take... for example. | The government should focus on renewable energy sources. Take solar power for example, it is becoming increasingly affordable. |
| Concluding | In conclusion, To sum up, All in all, Basically... | All in all, I believe the benefits of working from home far outweigh the drawbacks. |
Tips to remember when using discourse markers:
Avoid overusing them
using too many discourse markers in one sentence or a short paragraph will make the speech sound unnatural and may lead to a deduction in marks.
Use the words accurately
make sure you understand the meaning and function of each phrase to use them in the appropriate context. For example, do not use *However* (meaning: nevertheless) to add an idea.
Practice using them instead of Uhm/Er
whenever you tend to pause and make a hesitation sound (Uhm), replace it with a suitable discourse marker like *Well* or *That's an interesting question*. This is the fastest way to improve your fluency and coherence score.