A Contrastive Analysis Of Metadiscourse In Interactions Between Introductions And Conclusions Of English Research Articles

International publishing is an important form of reporting research achievements.The introduction part of a research article provides background information on the research and a summary of the article framework,while the conclusion is an overview of the entire article,both of which are actually a condensed representation of the entire article.However,few studies have compared and analyzed the two parts in combination and explored the differences in the rhetorical structure and application of metadiscourse between the introduction and conclusion of articles in different disciplinary journals.This thesis comprehensively employs Swales CARS(Creating a Research Space)model and Hyland’s metadiscourse classification to analyze the application of metadiscourse in the interaction structures between introductions and conclusions of highly cited research articles published in the top three academic journals in Applied Linguistics(soft disciplines)and Chemistry(hard disciplines)based on the 2020 SSCI and SCI impact factor rankings.The data source consists of introductions and conclusions from 120 research articles(60 in each discipline)published between 2017 and 2021,from which two small corpora,ARA(Applied Linguistics research articles)and CRA(Chemistry research articles),are established for comparative analysis.The aim of this study is to explore the similarities and differences in the application of metadiscourse in the interaction structures between the introduction and conclusion sections of soft and hard disciplines.The specific research questions are as follows:(1)What is the overall distribution of moves and steps of introductions and conclusions in ARA and CRA? What types of interaction structures are employed in ARA and CRA?(2)What is the way to facilitate the realization of the interaction structures between introductions and conclusions in ARA and CRA through the application of metadiscourse?(3)What are the similarities and differences about metadiscourse application in the interaction structures in ARA and CRA,and what are the reasons for these similarities and differences? By answering the above questions,this thesis attempts to analyze how research articles authors apply metadiscourse resources to convey their voice in academic discourse.The results show that(1)Move1,3,4,and 6 are widespread in introductions and conclusions of research articles on soft and hard disciplines.In Applied Linguistics research articles,M1S1,M2S1,M3S1 b,M4S2,M6S3 are typically adopted,with the interaction structures of M3S1b-M4S2 and M1S1-M2S1b-M3S1b-M4S2-M6S3.In Chemistry research articles,M1S2,M1S3,M3S1 a,and M4S2 are extensively employed,with the interaction structures of M3S1a-M4S2 and M1S2-M1S3-M3S1a-M4S2.(2)Both soft and hard disciplines research articles employ interactive metadiscourse and interactional metadiscourse to link discourse structure and content,forming the interaction structures,with the highest frequency of use being transition markers and frame markers.(3)The similarities in the application of metadiscourse in the interaction structures of soft and hard discipline research articles are as follows:(1)Both disciplines tend to adopt transition markers and frame markers to link discourse;(2)prefer to utilize attitude markers,boosters,and self-mentions in conclusions to tightly integrate the author and research;(3)employ fewer evidentials in the interaction structures.The difference lies in(1)The frequency of endophoric markers is higher in Chemistry research articles than in Applied Linguistics research articles;(2)The frequency of hedges is higher in the conclusion part of Applied Linguistics research articles than in the introduction part,while the opposite is true for Chemistry research articles;(3)The frequency code glosses is higher in Chemistry research articles than in Applied Linguistics research articles;(4)The frequency of engagement markers is prevalent in M1S2,M1S3,and M4S2 in Chemistry research articles,while it is widespread in M6S3 in Applied Linguistics research articles.Finally,based on the above analysis,the application of self-mentions,hedges,boosters,code glosses,attitude markers,and engagement markers in the interaction structures can help authors highlight their personal and social voice,realize their scholarly contribution,achieve identity,promote academic communication,and achieve self-promotion.This study helps deepen authors’ understanding of the writing features of introduction and conclusion discourse in international research articles,providing a good reference model for their academic writing,thereby promoting international publishing.