The Frequency of Macro/Micro Discourse Markers in Iranian EFL Learners’Compositions

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the use of micro and macro discourse markers in the
compositions of Iranian EFL students. Compositions were collected from a sample of 150 preintermediate,
intermediate and advanced English students at Pooyesh language school. Belles-
Fortuno (2006) taxonomy of discourse markers was used for the analysis of discourse markers in
students' writing. The main findings were that students employed a variety of discourse markers
with some types used more frequently than others. Micro markers were the most frequently and
macro markers the least frequently used markers among pre-intermediate students. Intermediate
students made use of both micro and macro markers with almost the same frequency. However,
the advanced students employed macro discourse markers with a high frequency and micro
discourse markers with a low frequency in the compositions. There are significant differences
between the use of discourse markers and the composition quality.