Use of Discourse Markers in Writing and Answering Essay Questions among Undergraduates in Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Nigeria
Keywords:
Discourse Markers(DMs); writing; essay questions; students' performanceAbstract
The study examined the students‟ level of mastery of
discourse markers in writing and answering essay questions. It also
determined the likely barriers to effective use of discourse markers and
established the different strategies in teaching discourse markers (DMs).
This was to promote effective learning of discourse markers and their
correct use in writing and answering essay questions. The study
adopted the survey research design. The population consisted of all the
undergraduate students of Ondo State University of Science and
Technology, Okitipupa. An intact sampling technique was employed in
selecting all first semester Part 1 students of 2013/2014 academic session
comprising 265 students across all the four Departments in the Faculty
of Science of the University. An instrument tagged: “GST 101
Examination Question” was developed by the investigator. This
consisted of four sections of different items which were used to collect
data from the respondents. Two research questions and two hypotheses
emanated from the study. Data collected were analysed using frequency
count, simple percentage, and ANCOVA. The findings among others,
showed that 141(53.2%) of the respondents had low understanding of
discourse markers such as: in addition, followed by linkers showing
relationship with 137(51.2%). The results further showed that
231(87.2%), representing majority of the respondents were of the view
that lack of mastery of the various connectors is a major barrier to
effective writing and answering of essay questions. The results also
affirmed that there is significant difference in students‟ academic
performance in using discourse markers in writing and answering essay
questions across different Departments (F=11.345) p<0.05). The study
concluded that students need to be properly taught to master the
various discourse markers for effective writing and answering essay
questions.
https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.17.7.7
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