Object

Group publication title:

Token

Abstract:

This contribution analyses changing practices of academic writing with special reference to MA theses. It considers theses as the central genre that introduces students to independent academic writing and thinking and the first step towards an academic writing career. A small empirical case study compares 20 MA theses written at Chemnitz University of Technology after the introduction of the Bologna reform (2012-20) with 20 Magister theses written before (2002-12). Two well-known metadiscourse variables are analysed: global rhetorical structures, i.e., IMRAD, from Introduction/issue, Methodology, Research (question) to Discussion or conclusion, and the expression of personal evaluation through metalanguage, i.e. stance. The focus is on a particularly interesting stance variable, evaluative that complement clauses (e.g., suggest that, claim that) and their functions indicating different strengths of authorial stance. A corpus-linguistic analysis reveals important differences between the English subdisciplines. The MA theses show similar teaching-induced trends, though to a different degree. Linguistics follows the patterns and perceived standards in international social science models more than Cultural Studies. This can be interpreted as functional adaptation to changing rhetorical situations in a wide social context.

Place of publishing:

Kielce

Physical description:

s. 169-196

ISSN:

2299-5900

Publisher:

Jan Kochanowski University Press

Date issued:

2023

Identifier:

doi:10.25951/11263

Language:

angielski

Is part of:

vol. 16

Type:

tekst

Format:

application/pdf