A cross-linguistics and cross-disciplinary study of rhetorical moves

Abstract

While research article abstracts (RAA) have been the focus of attention in recent years, studies on cross-linguistic and cross-disciplinary differences in employing their rhetorical moves and stylistic features are scant. This study attempts to find (a) dominant rhetorical moves in applied linguistics abstracts published internationally and locally; (b) rhetorical move differences in applied linguistics abstracts written by Anglo-Americans in English and Persians in Persian and English; and (c) rhetorical move differences in applied linguistics and civil engineering abstracts by Anglo Americans in English and Persian writers in Persian. To this end, 300 abstracts were analyzed in two disciplines (applied linguistics and civil engineering) and two languages (English and Persian). The findings unfold that internationally-published article abstracts discuss research findings significantly more. English applied linguistics abstracts describe the research methodology and potential utility of the research significantly more. English applied linguistics abstracts describe the research methodology and potential utility of the research significantly more than abstracts in Farsi. Interdisciplinary differences were found in terms of describing the methodology and discussion of the findings. Tense use varied across different moves of the abstracts giving an indication to the reader about where the writers have got to in their abstracts. A preponderance of present tense in 'presenting the study' move in most abstracts by civil engineers and applied linguists was found. Attended forms of demonstratives were the most used by civil engineers. Implications for English for academic writing instruction and research will be discussed.