DISCOURSE MARKERS IN ESSAY WRITING OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

The objectives of the study were to find out the discourse markers naturally that
used by students in the essay writing, the most frequent inappropriateness in terms
of the use of discourse markers, and to describe the reasons why they used the
discourse markers in the way they do. The study was conducted by applying a
descriptive qualitative research. The subjects of the research were the students of
senior high school at SMA Budisatrya Medan. The data were the students’ writing
that were analyzed by using Fraser Taxonomy (1999). It was fond that the
students used 7 out 8 types of discourse markers. Furthermore, the data were also
analyzed by using Kao & Chen Taxonomy (2011). It was also fond that the
students used 3 out 6 types of misuse patterns of discourse markers. There were
seven reasons the students used discourse markers: Limitation of knowledge, lack
of ability in writing, lack of interest against english, lack of interest against
writing, reading resources, teachers’ explanation and internet resources.