Examining the Use of Metadiscourse Markers in Academic WritingPremier Publishers
Acquiring proficiency in academic writing is becoming increasingly important for academics, irrespective of the academic discipline, given that publications in highly rated, peer-reviewed international journals have a profound impact on how knowledge is constructed through the process of writing. In academic writing, the use of metadiscourse markers is fundamental since academic writers have to write in such a way that they are able to skilfully distinguish opinion from fact. At the same time, they have to assess their affirmations in suitable and convincing ways. Considering the afore-mentioned, this article examines the use of metadiscourse markers in academic writing in which special attention is paid to the use of hedges and boosters. It is a general analysis and mini-review of the use of metadiscourse markers in academic writing. One empirical research article, from the field of Applied Linguistics, is used for this purpose. An introduction is given about academic writing and the need to use metadiscourse markers. Literature review based on metadiscourse markers in academic writing, with particular emphasis on hedges and boosters, is presented and discussed. The methodology of the study is outlined. The results show that there is a greater use of interactives than interactionals: with regard to interactive markers, transitional/logical connectives were most used, followed by endophoric markers, evidentials, and code glosses; with respect to interactional markers, hedges and boosters were the most used in this category with more hedges used as compared to boosters. Finally, concluding remarks are made about the analysis conducted.
Abstract:
In Knowledge Building (KB) research, the metadiscourse concept has been taken in use more in recent years. Still, the definitions seem to be quite simple and vague. In this paper, I therefore review how the metadiscourse concept is used in some selected research papers. By comparing these papers, I discuss the degree of similarities and differences in the use of the concept within the field. In addition, I propose a typology that includes both written and verbal metadiscourse and which may be relevant when analyzing knowledge building discourse.
Presentation at Knowledge Building Summer Institute 2013 in Mexico. August 7th http://ikit.org/si2013/PROGRAM.pdf
In Knowledge Building (KB) research, the metadiscourse concept has been taken in use more inrecent years. The concept seems to have been used mainly to inform the academic discourse and thecollective advancement of ideas. Still, there have been few attempts to define the concept in acoherent way. In this paper I discuss whether we need to expand our understanding of the concept inorder to fully understand knowledge building discourse. By using a comprehensive definition of metacommunication as a theoretical framework, I demonstrate how different kinds of “talk about talk” are present in knowledge building discourse in selected KB research papers, while not beingexplicitly described as metadiscourse. It is suggested that several new discourse elements should beincluded in the metadiscourse concept; these are explanations of intentions in the knowledge building discourse, discussions of the relationship between the participants and questions of clarification that may better capture the meta-level in the “ongoing flow” of the knowledge buildingdiscourse. In addition, one should focus more on the discourse relationship.
A lecture was given to bachelor students of the PPLE college of University of Amsterdam, on 20th February 2017.
This part covers political discourse theory and critical discourse analysis.
Examining the Use of Metadiscourse Markers in Academic WritingPremier Publishers
Acquiring proficiency in academic writing is becoming increasingly important for academics, irrespective of the academic discipline, given that publications in highly rated, peer-reviewed international journals have a profound impact on how knowledge is constructed through the process of writing. In academic writing, the use of metadiscourse markers is fundamental since academic writers have to write in such a way that they are able to skilfully distinguish opinion from fact. At the same time, they have to assess their affirmations in suitable and convincing ways. Considering the afore-mentioned, this article examines the use of metadiscourse markers in academic writing in which special attention is paid to the use of hedges and boosters. It is a general analysis and mini-review of the use of metadiscourse markers in academic writing. One empirical research article, from the field of Applied Linguistics, is used for this purpose. An introduction is given about academic writing and the need to use metadiscourse markers. Literature review based on metadiscourse markers in academic writing, with particular emphasis on hedges and boosters, is presented and discussed. The methodology of the study is outlined. The results show that there is a greater use of interactives than interactionals: with regard to interactive markers, transitional/logical connectives were most used, followed by endophoric markers, evidentials, and code glosses; with respect to interactional markers, hedges and boosters were the most used in this category with more hedges used as compared to boosters. Finally, concluding remarks are made about the analysis conducted.
Abstract:
In Knowledge Building (KB) research, the metadiscourse concept has been taken in use more in recent years. Still, the definitions seem to be quite simple and vague. In this paper, I therefore review how the metadiscourse concept is used in some selected research papers. By comparing these papers, I discuss the degree of similarities and differences in the use of the concept within the field. In addition, I propose a typology that includes both written and verbal metadiscourse and which may be relevant when analyzing knowledge building discourse.
Presentation at Knowledge Building Summer Institute 2013 in Mexico. August 7th http://ikit.org/si2013/PROGRAM.pdf
In Knowledge Building (KB) research, the metadiscourse concept has been taken in use more inrecent years. The concept seems to have been used mainly to inform the academic discourse and thecollective advancement of ideas. Still, there have been few attempts to define the concept in acoherent way. In this paper I discuss whether we need to expand our understanding of the concept inorder to fully understand knowledge building discourse. By using a comprehensive definition of metacommunication as a theoretical framework, I demonstrate how different kinds of “talk about talk” are present in knowledge building discourse in selected KB research papers, while not beingexplicitly described as metadiscourse. It is suggested that several new discourse elements should beincluded in the metadiscourse concept; these are explanations of intentions in the knowledge building discourse, discussions of the relationship between the participants and questions of clarification that may better capture the meta-level in the “ongoing flow” of the knowledge buildingdiscourse. In addition, one should focus more on the discourse relationship.
A lecture was given to bachelor students of the PPLE college of University of Amsterdam, on 20th February 2017.
This part covers political discourse theory and critical discourse analysis.
In this paper, there are three articles that concentrate on the analysis of genres should be reviewed.
Particularly so, these three articles shed light on the contribution of the corpus linguistics methodology to the
analysis and application of academic genres. For easy reference, I have to label Article 1 on From Text To Corpus-
A Genre-based Approach to Academic Literacy Instruction by C Tribble and U. Wingate, Article 2 on Using Corpusbased
research and Online Academic Corpora to Inform Writing of the Discussion Section of a Thesis, by L. Flower
dew and Article 3 on An Integration of Corpus-Based and Genre-Based Approaches to Text Analysis in EAP/ESP:
Countering Criticisms Against Corpus-Based Methodologies, also by L. Flower dew.
Discourse and Genre (the relationship between discourse and genre) Aticka Dewi
We provide some questions to make the discussion clearer
1. What is discourse?
Discourse is the use of language in text and context
2. What is genre?
Genre in linguistics refers to the type and structure of language typically used for a particular purpose in a particular context.
3. What is relationship between discourse and genre?
Discourse analysis is genre analysis. When we analyze discourses, of course we will specify them into more specific types from the characteristics of each discourse. For exampleThe specific type of discourses is called as genre.
4. Why should we use genre to analyze discourse?
Discourse is language in use. It is huge and almost unlimited. So, when we want to analyze discourses, we need a limitation to limit the unlimited things. Here, we use an analogy for this statement. (slide 11,12)
Genre provides limit in discourse.
That is why genre is used to help us divining and analyzing the discourses.
5. How do we analyze discourse through genre?
Example: text “Forklift fatty Improving”.
----------
The text is taken from the newspaper report. As we see in the language features and structures, we can divine it into recount text. It is non fiction, because it is based on real event. And it is written. So, we can say that this discourse has written non-fiction recount genre.
But, we cannot make sure that a type of discourse always has the same characteristics, because discourse is neither absolutely homogenous nor absolutely heterogeneous. Discourse is sometimes heterogeneous. Here, we provide two videos which have the same genre, but quite different in terms of language features and structures.
---------VIDEO
From the videos, we can feel that the first and the second videos are quite different. The structure in the first video is introduction (addressing, personal value), content (some important issues, e.g: financial issues, goals of America, ), closing (hope for American future, blessing). The language features used in the first video is more formal, present tense. The atmosphere created is formal.
From the second video, the structure is introduction (personal value without addressing), content (some goals), closing (. The language features used in the video is mixing, unclear and needs more understanding. The atmosphere created is a bit humorous.
Although they have different characteristics, they have the same genre in term of purpose, that is political genre.
From those videos, we can conclude that we cannot stick to an idea that a genre of discourse always has the same characteristics. AGAIN, discourse is neither absolutely homogenous nor absolutely heterogeneous.
In this paper, there are three articles that concentrate on the analysis of genres should be reviewed.
Particularly so, these three articles shed light on the contribution of the corpus linguistics methodology to the
analysis and application of academic genres. For easy reference, I have to label Article 1 on From Text To Corpus-
A Genre-based Approach to Academic Literacy Instruction by C Tribble and U. Wingate, Article 2 on Using Corpusbased
research and Online Academic Corpora to Inform Writing of the Discussion Section of a Thesis, by L. Flower
dew and Article 3 on An Integration of Corpus-Based and Genre-Based Approaches to Text Analysis in EAP/ESP:
Countering Criticisms Against Corpus-Based Methodologies, also by L. Flower dew.
Discourse and Genre (the relationship between discourse and genre) Aticka Dewi
We provide some questions to make the discussion clearer
1. What is discourse?
Discourse is the use of language in text and context
2. What is genre?
Genre in linguistics refers to the type and structure of language typically used for a particular purpose in a particular context.
3. What is relationship between discourse and genre?
Discourse analysis is genre analysis. When we analyze discourses, of course we will specify them into more specific types from the characteristics of each discourse. For exampleThe specific type of discourses is called as genre.
4. Why should we use genre to analyze discourse?
Discourse is language in use. It is huge and almost unlimited. So, when we want to analyze discourses, we need a limitation to limit the unlimited things. Here, we use an analogy for this statement. (slide 11,12)
Genre provides limit in discourse.
That is why genre is used to help us divining and analyzing the discourses.
5. How do we analyze discourse through genre?
Example: text “Forklift fatty Improving”.
----------
The text is taken from the newspaper report. As we see in the language features and structures, we can divine it into recount text. It is non fiction, because it is based on real event. And it is written. So, we can say that this discourse has written non-fiction recount genre.
But, we cannot make sure that a type of discourse always has the same characteristics, because discourse is neither absolutely homogenous nor absolutely heterogeneous. Discourse is sometimes heterogeneous. Here, we provide two videos which have the same genre, but quite different in terms of language features and structures.
---------VIDEO
From the videos, we can feel that the first and the second videos are quite different. The structure in the first video is introduction (addressing, personal value), content (some important issues, e.g: financial issues, goals of America, ), closing (hope for American future, blessing). The language features used in the first video is more formal, present tense. The atmosphere created is formal.
From the second video, the structure is introduction (personal value without addressing), content (some goals), closing (. The language features used in the video is mixing, unclear and needs more understanding. The atmosphere created is a bit humorous.
Although they have different characteristics, they have the same genre in term of purpose, that is political genre.
From those videos, we can conclude that we cannot stick to an idea that a genre of discourse always has the same characteristics. AGAIN, discourse is neither absolutely homogenous nor absolutely heterogeneous.
Construing Criticality in essay genre in English literatureClmentNdoricimpa
Criticality is established as one of most important characteristics of university essay genre. Students are required to demonstrate their critical thinking in their writing. However, criticality is a concept, which is less understood among students and tutors. Further, there is a little agreement among researchers on how to investigate the linguistic features associated with construing critical stance. Therefore, this paper demonstrates how criticality is achieved in essay genre in the discipline of English literature. The argument in this paper is that the linguistic features traditionally associated with enacting criticality interact with other linguistic features to achieve critical stance in a written text. A systemic functional analysis of essays in English literature drawn from British Academic Writing English (BAWE) corpus demonstrates this interaction. Specifically, the findings show that the linguistic resources for the creation of ideational meaning interact with those for critical positioning to achieve critical thinking in university essays. These findings have implication for teaching academic writing in the discipline of English literature.
Crediting sources in academic writing: Citation and negotiation for entry int...ClmentNdoricimpa
Writing in academic context requires writers to comply with certain conventions. One important aspect of these conventions is that of citing or incorporating materials from other writers. It is argued that, by confirming to the conventions of citation, writers not only negotiate membership in a particular academic community, but also establish epistemological framework, which is embedded in the context of the discipline. Therefore, this paper discusses the connection between citation practices and students’ success in their academic discipline. It raises students’ awareness of the fact that their success in their chosen academic discipline partly depends on their ability to comply with citation convention.
The four resources model by Luke and Freebody (1999) includes:
i. Breaking the code of texts (code breaker);
ii. Participating in the meanings of text (meaning maker or text participant);
iii. Using texts functionally (text user); and
iv. Critically analysing and transforming texts (text analyst or text critic).
Based on the four resources model by Luke and Freebody, (1999), I would conclude by saying that whenever a teacher is engaging his/her students in a reading activity or other literacy activities, the teacher must ask himself certain questions. These are but a few of them:
i. Am I using a range of texts or sources in my classroom?
ii. Am I imposing the meaning of the text on the students or allowing them to come out with their own interpretations?
iii. Are the students allowed time to analyse everyday texts?
iv. Do I use a context in my teaching that is actually relevant to the needs of my students today?
v. Am I providing support to ensure that students engage with all the four resources model?
This presentation examines the necessity of encouraging writing across the curriculum areas. Writing activities have to be engaging, meaningful and help to develop the writing skills of the audience. These slides examine how and why one should teach writing across the curriculum.
Qualitative Data Analysis I: Text Analysis - a summary based on Chapter 17 of H. Russell Bernard’s Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches for a Report for Anthro 297: Seminar in Research Design and Methods under Dr. Francisco Datar, Department of Anthropology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines Diliman
Systemic Functional Linguistics: An approach to analyzing written academic di...ClmentNdoricimpa
Written academic discourse refers to the way of thinking and using language that exist in the academy. Writers demonstrate knowledge and negotiate social relations with readers by means of written discourse. In order to understand these characteristics of written discourse, different approaches are followed. Some follow a linguistic approach to uncover the linguistic devices associated with coherence in a written text. Other follow a social approach to analyze the social cultural context in which a written text occurs. However, it is demonstrated that the linguistic and the social cultural elements in a written text cannot be disassociated and that an approach, which combine the two approaches is required. Such an approach is Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). Therefore, this paper discusses the way in which SFL is used as an approach to analyzing linguistic features of academic discourses and how those features relate to social cultural context. In this paper, it is shown that SFL provides the means to analyze not only the linguistic resources employed in a written text but also the context in which the text is used. These linguistic resources are associated with the creation of ideational, interpersonal and textual meaning at the level of lexicogrammar and discourse semantic. The context is modelled through register and genre theory.
English as a Global LanguageAround the world, the English languaeleanorabarrington
English as a Global Language
Around the world, the English language is being used for communication among people who come from various language backgrounds—in fact, a majority of English users today grew up speaking other languages. As a result of these language contacts, the English language itself is changing its shape. While some people resist change, there is not much any individual—or a group of people—can do to reverse the trend. In fact, no one owns the language. Yet, people have various views about what English is or should be.
One way to understand different perspectives on an issue is to conduct a rhetorical analysis of texts--spoken or written.
Rhetorical analysis
is a way of analyzing what the text can tell us not only about the subject and argument strategies but also about the interrelationship among the writer, the audience, the genre and arguments as well as the cultural values of the writer and of the knowledge community.
For this writing project, write a rhetorical analysis essay (a kind of critical analysis essay) that examines an argument about English as a global language. Start by identifying a text that presents an argument about global English. The text can be of any genre—including newspaper editorial, opinion sections of newspapers or magazines, blogs, websites, advertisements, signs, posters, and so on. (Keep in mind that analyzing short texts could require more effort in interpreting and explaining the text and its context.)
Once you have identified the text for analysis, explore the text and its context by considering the following questions: What is the writer’s purpose in writing the text? What kind of situation is the text responding to? Who is the writer? How does the writer establish his or her credibility? What is the writer’s attitude toward the subject? How do you know? Who is the primary audience? Who is the secondary audience? What is the major argument and how is it being built? What are some of the supporting arguments? What other arguments or perspectives are represented? What is the genre and what are some of the characteristic features that are expected? What are the characteristics that are actually found in the text? Is the text effective in communicating the main point to the audience? What can you say about the values and assumptions that are shared by members of the knowledge community?
In addition to analyzing the text itself, you may also find it useful to find out about the medium in which the text was presented. Explore these and other related questions thoroughly to generate ideas for your writing.
Learning Objectives
In this project, you will learn to
Analyze persuasive texts by examining the rhetorical context, argument strategies and textual features
Understand how to analyze the rhetorical features of various types of texts and images
Understand various perspectives on the global spread of the English language
Examine how arguments can be developed and presented to a ...
Unit 8 - Information and Communication Technology (Paper I).pdfThiyagu K
This slides describes the basic concepts of ICT, basics of Email, Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives in Education. This presentations aligns with the UGC Paper I syllabus.
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
Francesca Gottschalk - How can education support child empowerment.pptxEduSkills OECD
Francesca Gottschalk from the OECD’s Centre for Educational Research and Innovation presents at the Ask an Expert Webinar: How can education support child empowerment?
Embracing GenAI - A Strategic ImperativePeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Talking to students: Metadiscourse in Introductory Coursebooks
1. Talking to students: Metadiscourse in
Introductory Coursebooks
-Ken Hyland
• This paper explores the possible role of university textbooks in students’ acquisition of a
specialized disciplinary literacy focusing on the use of metadiscourse as a manifestation of the
writer’s linguistic and rhetorical presence in the text. To achieve this objective, Hyland has made a
comparison between the features in extracts from 21 introductory textbooks in Microbiology,
Marketing and Applied linguistics and a similar corpus of research articles and the findings suggest
that the ways textbooks authors represent themselves, organize their arguments, and signal their
attitudes to both their statements and their readers differ markedly in the two corpora. Thus, he
concludes that these differences suggest that textbooks provide limited rhetorical guidance to
students seeking information from research sources or learning appropriate forms of written
argument.
2. What is Metadiscourse?
• Metadiscourse is an approach to conceptualizing interactions between text producers and their roles
and their texts and between text producers and users. -Ken Hyland
• ‘Metadiscourse is discourse about discourse.’ (Van de Kopple 1985)
• ‘Metadiscourse’ was coined by Zellig Harris in 1959 to offer understanding language in use,
representing a writer’s or speaker’s attempts to guide a receiver’s perception of a text.
• Essentially, Metadiscourse embodies the idea that communication is more than just the exchange of
information, goods or services, but also involves the personalities, attitudes and assumptions of
those who are communicating. Thus, metadiscourse offers a framework for understanding
communication as a social engagement.
3. Sections in the paper
• The paper consists of nine sections:
• 1. The genre of introductory textbooks
• 2. Audience, purpose, and metadiscourse
• 3. A metadiscourse schema
• 4. Corpus and procedure
• 5. Findings
• 6. Discussion
• 7. Textual features in textbooks
• 8. Interpersonal features in the textbooks
• 9. Conclusion and implications
4. The genre of introductory textbooks
• The genre of textbooks, the most commonly encountered and used by undergraduate students.
• It is one of the primary resources by which they acquire concepts and analytical methods of a
discipline.
• Hence, textbooks play a key role in learners’ experience and understanding of a subject by
providing a coherent epistemological map of disciplinary landscape and through their textual
practices, can help convey the norms, values, and ideological assumptions of a particular academic
culture. This is what makes the ESP writers draw heavily on coursebooks.
5. To be contd.….
• Therefore, particularly students in the sciences often see textbooks as concrete embodiments
of knowledge of their disciplines.
• However, apart from gaining an understanding of the subject knowledge, the students must
acquire a specialized literacy that consists of the discipline-specific rhetorical and linguistic
practices of a particular community.
• Understanding the written genres of in one’s field is essential for full acculturation and
success which the textbooks largely lack in.
• Similarly, Research articles are a highly valued genre central to the legitimacy of a discipline
as a result of its role in communicating new research.
6. To be contd.……
• It is a problem for students to advance from participation in an Undergraduate culture of
‘knowledge-telling’ to a disciplinary one involving ‘knowledge-transforming’ through reading
research sources and writing in specialized genres (Bereiter & Scardamalia 1987).
• Hyland also argues that the textbooks help represent and construct a knowable, objective world.
Therefore, the roles textbooks play in a given academic environment may differ considerably.
• For example, science and economics texts help reinforce existing paradigms, whereas philosophy
and composition are meant for advancing scholarship and presenting original research.
•
7. To be contd.….
• problems and reactions to the text.
• One of the important means that texts adopt to depict the characteristics of an underlying
community is through the writer’s use of metadiscourse. It is therefore a crucial rhetorical device
for writer’s (Crismore 1989; Crismore & Farnsworth 1990).
• Metadiscourse allows them to engage and influence readers in ways that conform to a discipline’s
norms, values and ideologies, expressing textual and interpersonal meanings that their audience is
likely to accept as credible and convincing.
• However, it is also considered as an important means to support a writer’s arguments and build a
relationship with readers.
8. 2. Audience, purpose and metadiscourse
• This section deals with a deep insight into what ‘metadiscourse’ is, its possible audience, and its
purpose.
• The features of a discourse are always relative to a particular audience and social purpose. Thus,
the effectiveness of writer’s attempts to communicate largely depends on their success in analyzing
and accommodating the needs of the readers.
• In textbooks, as much as research papers, authors are not only concerned with simply presenting
propositional facts, but also must address to the expectations of readers and what they are likely to
find interesting, credible, and intelligible.
• In addition to, writers must anticipate the audience’s likely background knowledge, processing --
9. To be contd.…..
• However, essentially a text communicates effectively only when the writer has correctly assessesed
the reader’s resources for interpreting it.
• The writer of a research article can assume shared awareness of a codified texts, principles and
rules that represent the socially constructed ideology of their community (Hyland 1997a).
• On the contrary, textbooks authors are unable to invoke community knowledge as the novice lacks
experience, seeking to make propositional material explicit to novices while simultaneously
socializing them to the ways of speaking appropriate to the community.
10. A metadiscourse schema
• This section presents the schema of metadiscourse and how the knowledge of it can be useful for
the writer and reader as well.
• Metadiscourse is a heterogeneous category that can be realized through a range of linguistic
devices from punctuation and typographic marks (parentheses to signal clarifications or underlining
to mark emphasis)
• Hyland has broadly categorized a metadiscourse schema into two types:
• Textual metadiscourse and Interpersonal metadiscourse
• Again, each of the broad categories has been divided into five sub-categories:
11. To be contd.…….
• Textual metadiscourse Interpersonal metadiscourse
• Logical connectives Hedges
• Frame markers Emphatics
• Endophoric markers Attitude markers
• Evidentials Relational markers
• Code glosses Persoanl markers
•
• Textual metadiscourse is used to organize propositional information in ways that will be coherent for a
particular audience and appropriate for a given purpose.
12. To be contd.….
• Interpersonal metadiscourse offers the writers to express a perspective towards their propositional
information and their readers. Essentially, it is an evaluative form of discourse and expresses the
writer’s individually defined, but disciplinary circumscribed, persona. Metadiscourse therefore is
concerned with the level of personality, or tenor, of the discourse and influences such matters as the
author’s intimacy and remoteness, expression of attitude, commitment to propositions and degree
of reader involvement.
13. 4. Sample and analysis
• The corpus containing extracts from 21 introductory course books in three academic disciplines:
Microbiology, Marketing and Applied Linguistics comprising almost 1,24,000 words has been
selected.
• The average length of the extracts was 5900 words (range 3305-10678) consisting of complete
chapters (16) or substantial sections of chapters beginning with introductory matter and comprising
entire contiguous subsections (5).
• However, a parallel corpus of 21 research articles (1,21,000 words/average length of 5771 words)
was compiled for comparison from the current issues of prestigious journals recommended by
expert informants in the same three disciplines.
14. To be continued……
• The corpora were analyzed by the author himself independently and two research assistants by
coding all items of metadiscourse according to the schema outlined.
• An interrater reliability of 0.83 (Kappa) was obtained, which indicated a high degree of agreement.
15. Findings
• The quantitative analysis of the corpora shows the following results:
• Table 2 (analysis of textbooks) shows that writers used more textual than interpersonal
metadiscourse.
• Logical connectives and code glosses are the most prominent features that have been used, in each
discipline.
• The applied linguistics texts comprised considerably more evidentials and relational markers,
biology used more hedges, and marketing had fewer evidentials and endophorics.
• In particular, all disciplines exhibited a high use of logical connectives and code glosses which
together made about half of all cases.
16. To be contd….
• From table 3 (a comparison of both textbooks and research articles)it can be noticed that…
• A strikingly similar total frequencies of metadiscourse in both the corpus, i.e., 68.5% in textbooks
and 66.2% in research articles.
• Devices used to assist comprehension of propositional information, such as connectives, code
glosses, and endophoric markers, were less frequent in the articles while those typically used to
assist persuasion, such as hedges, emphatics, evidentials, and person markers, were more frequent.
• Hedges were almost three times more common in the research articles and represented the most
frequent metadiscourse feature demonstrating the importance of distinguishing established from
new claims in research writing.
17. To be contd.……
• Table 4 shows that….
• The overall density levels differed markedly in biology, with almost 25% more metadiscourse in
the textbooks than in the research articles.
• Biology was the only discipline where there was a little change between the two genres, whereas
the interpersonal frequencies increased dramatically in the applied linguistics and marketing
research articles.
• Table 5 exhibits that…….
• Use of logical connectives was highest in textbooks in all disciplines and that the research articles
contained a higher proportion of hedges, person and frame markers.
18. To be contd.…
• Biology showed the greatest variation, both across the genres and disciplines, with substantial
genre differences in most categories.
• Marketing and applied linguistics texts were more uniform between genres whereas, both contained
large differences in hedges, and connectives.
• Substantial genre variations were also visible in the use of evidentials and person markers in
marketing and endophoric and relation markers in applied linguistics.
• In general, metadiscourse variations were more apparent between genres than disciplines,
particularly for high frequency items, and the textbooks tended to exhibit greater disciplinary
diversity than the research articles.
19. Discussion
• It also supposes that the metadiscourse variations may reflect the different roles that textbooks and
research articles play in the social structures of disciplinary activity and anticipates that their use
will contain clues about how these texts were produced and the purposes they serve.
• Metadiscourse is grounded in the rhetorical purposes of writers and sensitive to their perceptions of
audience, both of which differ markedly between the two genres.
20. Textual features in textbooks
• This section details how many textual features are used in the textbooks in comparison with the
research articles.
• Textual forms constituted nearly about 70% of all metadiscourse in the coursebooks.
• It not only serves to fill in the gaps and explicitly spell out connections to related ideas, but also
clarifies the schematic structure of the text.
21. Interpersonal features in textbooks
• The findings for interpersonal metadiscourse indicate something which is contrasting the use of
textual features.
• Crismore and Farnsworth (1990) and Hyland (1997b, in press) found a heavy use of interpersonal
forms in persuasive texts of different discourse types.
• Research articles contained 60% more interpersonal devices overall with hedges and person
markers particularly prominent.
•
22. Conclusions and implications
• The analysis offers a few conclusions:
• The primary goal of textbooks authors is to make intellectual content accessible to undergraduate
students rather than to provide the means to interact effectively with other community members.
• Thus, while the metadiscourse practices employed to facilitate knowledge transfer can make textbooks to
read, the different strategies used in research articles may mean that students find it difficult to refer to
the research literature in their studies to appropriate rhetorical skills.
• Regarding pedagogical implications, students need to be steered away from using textbooks as models.
• Essentially, textbooks provide students with a little understanding of the meta-textual requirements of an
academic audience or show how arguments are constructed to anticipate the reactions of a relatively
egalitarian community peers.