Perspectives on the Introductory Phase of Empirical Research Articles: A Study of Rhetorical Structure and Citation Use

Combining English for Specific Purposes (ESP) genre-based analysis, corpus-based language studies, and semi-structured interviews, this book represents the first multi-faceted project on the macro-structure of empirical research articles (ERAs) from both synchronic and diachronic perspectives, and on the “I+LR” patterned introductory phase (comprising two introductory sections, i.e., the Introduction and the Literature Review in RAs drawn from civil engineering and applied linguistics journals) regarding their rhetorical organization, use of citation, and structural and functional links and variations. The project comprises three logically interconnected studies using a multi-perspective (the cross-disciplinary, cross-generic, emic, and published advice vs. actual expert practices perspectives) approach. It will make a significant contribution to our understanding of the genre evolution, rhetorical organization and citation features of ERAs, enrich English for Academic Purposes (EAP) theories, and facilitate the development of EAP pedagogy and materials.