English for Academic Purposes

Student Paper Introductions

In student research papers, introduction sections typically follow the pattern illustrated in the table below: Move 1: Leading into the topic a. by providing background (discipline-related) b. by including rhetorical questions / quotations to attract the attention of the reader Move 2: Stating the aim a. by presenting the aim (limitations, narrowing down aim) b. by presenting the topic (reasons for choice, limitations of topic, narrowing down topic, expanding topic, explaining topic) Move 3: Previewing the contents of the paper a. by outlining the entire paper 1. Compare the two introduction sections of student papers below to this pattern. In how far are these texts successful introductions? Why / why not? 2. In how far do you thin the abo!e model is "or is not# rele!ant for the introduction section of published research papers? In how far would you modify the mo!e structure for these papers?
!" # $ beachvolleyballer plays a %skyball&, a surfer performs a %bottom turn& and a mountainbiker uses his %' ( brakes& to exercise a %disc brake&. he respective research pro)ect deals with the phenomenon of influences of the !nglish language on the *erman vocabulary in general, but also specifically in the field of modern sport. +n the basis of historical and linguistic reflections, a solid explanation of the question why the integration of !nglish lexis ( so called %$nglicisms& is particularly popular in the field of sport trends, like for instance %,nowboarding&, %-eachvolleyball& and %.ountainbiking&, is given. /n addition, an insight of certain linguistic developments on the field of various kinds of sport is provided, for example 01hy does sport play a leading role in the integration of $nglicisms23, 01hy is exactly !nglish such an important word donor23 or 01hy do mainly teenagers feel attracted by activity trends and their %codes&23 +f course, not all answers are ultimate, but this pro)ect paper serves as a means of explanation for a better understanding. !" 4 /n the course of the first lecture of 05ragmatics3 we were informed that one of the aims of the 05roseminar3 would be to be creative and to define an own course-related idea. his idea should lead to the development of a research proposal including a research title and a working hypothesis. 6or this, we received helpful hints and examples from the lecturer how to develop an appropriate research theme. +ne of these examples belonged to the field of advertising. $s we showed interest in this sub)ect and as writing a research paper seemed to be a very challenging task we spontaneously decided to work as a team.

$ource:

%&ttner, 'ulia Isabel. 2((). *cademic writin+ in a forei+n lan+ua+e. ,ran furt: -eter .an+, 1/( ff.

English for Academic Purposes

+ur first step was to observe how the !nglish language is used in the media. herefore, we examined different kinds of media like 7-spots, public posters, maga8ines and newspapers. .oreover, both of us were interested in the chapters three and five of our theory book, which are 009eference and inference33 and 00:ooperation and implicature33 (;ule #<<=> #?-4@, AB-@C). 6inally, we thought about a suitable way of combining the practical with the theoretical area.

$ource:

%&ttner, 'ulia Isabel. 2((). *cademic writin+ in a forei+n lan+ua+e. ,ran furt: -eter .an+, 1/( ff.