Analysing Metadiscourse Markers in Two Online Newspapers’ Editorials on Covid-19

Abstract

One important way of analysing discourse is to find out how the writer uses specific linguistic features to interact with readers. This is carried out through the study of metadiscourse. The aim of this paper is to analyse metadiscourse markers in selected online articles. Specifically, the study focuses on two online newspapers’ editorials in Nigeria, PUNCH and THE NATION. Hyland’s (2005) approach is adopted in the study. Through a descriptive research design and mixed method perspective, the results reveal that apart from code glosses and self-mentions which are non-existent in the first text, the other types of interactive and interactional metadiscourse occur in the two texts. The distribution of interactive metadiscourse shows that transitions, evidentials and frame markers are mostly utilised in the first text whereas transitions, endophoric and frame markers are most dominant in the second text. Regarding interactional metadiscourse, hedges and engagement markers are dominant in PUNCH editorial while hedges and attitudes makers are mostly used in THE NATION. The paper concludes that these linguistic markers are all the more important as they facilitate the construction and negotiation of social relations