A pragmatic approach to the rhetorical analysis and the metadiscourse markers of research article abstracts in the field of applied linguistics

Vol.16,No.2(2023)
Discourse and Interaction

Abstract

Using Hyland’s (2000) model as a research tool and drawing on Hyland’s (2005a) model of metadiscourse, this article presents a pragmatic two-level rhetorical analysis of the constituent moves within research article abstracts. It specifically zeroes in on the identification and mapping of the most frequently used metadiscourse markers signifying these moves. The findings highlight that Libyan authors employ interactive markers more often than interactional ones. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis of metadiscourse indicate that transitions, endophoric markers, and frame markers emerge as the dominant interactive categories. In contrast, interactional metadiscourse is predominantly represented by attitude markers, hedges, and boosters. Based on the findings, Move 1 features the highest frequency of metadiscourse markers, followed by Move 2. Notably, transitions stand out as the most prevalent category across all moves. This study carries pedagogical implications for academic writing practices among Libyan academic writers and students alike. Moreover, it enhances the existing body of research on the genre of research articles.


Keywords:
rhetorical analysis, metadiscourse markers, research article, academic writers, pragmatic approach
Author biographies

Eatidal Hasan

a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:30:"lecturer in Gharyan University";}

Eatidal Hasan was awarded an MA in Linguistics by the University of Malaya, Malaysia, in 2018. She is currently a lecturer at Gharyan University in Libya. Her research interests include English for Academic Purposes, discourse studies, second language writing and translation studies.

Alsout Ergaya

Ergaya Alsout was awarded an MA in Linguistics by the University of Malaya, Malaysia. She is an assistant lecturer at Fezzan University, Libya. She is currently doing her PhD in Language Studies at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abdin, Malaysia. Her research interests are applied linguistics (pragmatics, discourse analysis, genre analysis, ESP, EAP, translation) and research methodology.

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