RAIs IN TOP TIER LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTIC JOURNALS: MOVES, STEPS, AND THEIR IDEATIONAL MEANING REALIZATIONS

This study aims to attest how the transitivity analysis of move steps as well as their sequences in research article introductions of the top tier language and linguistic journals assists novice writers by providing some patterns to consider. To this end, the Swales’ CARS model and systemic functional linguistics were deployed. All data analysis and their interpretations were included in the umbrella of qualitative approach with the assistance of simple descriptive statistics. Results showed that there were 3 moves and 17 steps found with few consecutive sequences identified among them. Moreover, the patterns of move steps characterized as high, low, conventional, and optional were also observed. As for the realization of ideational meaning, based on transitivity analysis of move steps, there were 5 processes spotted with relational process dominating and existential the least. Furthering this, the present study has implications both in practical and theoretical domains.