What term refers to a word or phrase signaling the function of the information that will follow?

What term refers to a word or phrase signaling the function of the information that will follow?

• A. Conjunction
• B. Discourse Marker
• C. Interjection
• D. Article

Answer: (B)

This item tests how language signals what kind of information is coming next in the flow of talk or writing. A discourse marker is a word or phrase that guides the listener or reader by signaling how the following information relates to what has been said—such as adding a point, showing a contrast, indicating a sequence, or signaling a shift in topic. Examples include words like "however," "therefore," "in addition," "anyway," and "meanwhile." These markers don’t just connect ideas grammatically; they cue the listener about the function or role of the upcoming content in the discourse, helping to map the structure of the argument or narrative. Conjunctions link parts of a sentence to show grammatical relationships, interjections express emotion or reaction, and articles mark nouns. While some words can have multiple roles, the feature described—signaling how the next information will function in the overall discourse—best fits the concept of a discourse marker.

This item tests how language signals what kind of information is coming next in the flow of talk or writing. A discourse marker is a word or phrase that guides the listener or reader by signaling how the following information relates to what has been said—such as adding a point, showing a contrast, indicating a sequence, or signaling a shift in topic.

Examples include words like "however," "therefore," "in addition," "anyway," and "meanwhile." These markers don’t just connect ideas grammatically; they cue the listener about the function or role of the upcoming content in the discourse, helping to map the structure of the argument or narrative.

Conjunctions link parts of a sentence to show grammatical relationships, interjections express emotion or reaction, and articles mark nouns. While some words can have multiple roles, the feature described—signaling how the next information will function in the overall discourse—best fits the concept of a discourse marker.