Rhetorical Structures in Research Introductions: A Case Study of the Journal of Second Language Writing

Abstract

This study provides an in-depth examination of the rhetorical organisation in the 45 research articles’ introduction sections published in the Journal of Second Language Writing (JSLW). It explores whether authors from different institutional and geographical backgrounds, writing within the same discourse community, exhibit similar structural patterns in their introductions. To carry out this analysis, coding techniques and genre analysis were employed. The findings indicate that all authors adhered to the general structure presented in Swales’ CARS model; however, differences appeared in the specific move sequences used. While some authors followed a straightforward progression, others employed more intricate and layered rhetorical patterns. The move structures identified in this study could serve as a valuable meta-discourse framework to assist novice scholars in creating coherent and effective introductions for academic publications. The study is fundamental in understanding the nuances in writing, especially for writers learning English as a second language.