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Writing Abstracts for Research Articles: Towards a Framework for Move Structure of Abstracts

Author

Listed:
  • Ho Yoong Wei
  • Abu Bakar Razali
  • Arshad Abd Samad

Abstract

The abstract as a sub-genre of the research article has been explored in many studies, particularly with regards to its rhetorical move structure. However, these studies have mainly focused on the macro-structures of abstracts in terms of the main moves present based on pre-existing models by Swales (1990), Dos Santos (1996), and Hyland (2000). Studies analyzing the micro-structures of abstracts in which the sub-categories under each main category are lacking. This study identifies the main moves of abstracts, the steps and sub-steps within each move to propose a comprehensive framework for abstract structure. Using a move based analysis, 100 research article abstracts in the field of social science and humanities were analyzed at the sentence level, where each sentence was coded and assigned a move. Based on the analysis, five main moves consisting of 12 steps and 25 sub-steps were identified. The frequency of occurrence revealed that Move 2- Introducing Study and Move 4- Presenting Findings were conventional, while Move 1- Situating Research, Move 3- Describing Methodology, and Move 5- Describing Implication and Recommendation were optional. This study has implications for research on the genre analysis of abstracts as well as the teaching of abstract structure in the academic setting.

Suggested Citation

  • Ho Yoong Wei & Abu Bakar Razali & Arshad Abd Samad, 2022. "Writing Abstracts for Research Articles: Towards a Framework for Move Structure of Abstracts," World Journal of English Language, Sciedu Press, vol. 12(6), pages 492-492, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:jfr:wjel11:v:12:y:2022:i:6:p:492
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wirada Amnuai, 2019. "Analyses of Rhetorical Moves and Linguistic Realizations in Accounting Research Article Abstracts Published in International and Thai-Based Journals," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(1), pages 21582440188, January.
    2. Seden Can & Erkan Karabacak & Jingjing Qin, 2016. "Structure of Moves in Research Article Abstracts in Applied Linguistics," Publications, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Supachai Saeeaw & Supong Tangkiengsirisin, 2014. "Rhetorical Variation across Research Article Abstracts in Environmental Science and Applied Linguistics," English Language Teaching, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 7(8), pages 1-81, August.
    4. Watinee Suntara & Siriluck Usaha, 2013. "Research Article Abstracts in Two Related Disciplines: Rhetorical Variation between Linguistics and Applied Linguistics," English Language Teaching, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 6(2), pages 1-84, February.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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