The Study On The Introduction Sections Of English Economic Research Articles From Macroscopic To Microcosmic Perspectives

With the recognition of English as the “lingua franca” of research andcommunication, it becomes eager and necessary for academic researchers to writearticles in English. As the opening part of the main body of a research article, theintroduction is absolutely essential. The writer uses this section to declare thesignificance of his/her study, to set an appropriate tone for the article, and to attract theattention of his/her readership. In addition, the writer needs this part to guide the textthat follows.Since Swales’(1981) remarkable contribution to the introduction genre analysis,there have been loads of genre studies of the introduction section. However, the specificinvestigation of research article introduction in economics is still underrepresentedamong them, let alone the analysis based on three integrated theories: discursivehierarchical pattern, the CARS model, and the thematic progression pattern. Therefore,this study will investigate the macro and micro structure of36introductions of theEnglish research articles in economics through an integrated theoretical framework. Themajor findings of the current study are presented as follows:1. Through identifying the communicative function of the introduction, thediscursive hierarchical patterns with moves and steps adopted from CARS model isintegrated and obtained as the macro structure of this section. Overall, the three patternsof economic introductions are the same with Lung’s (2011) model, which are theOpening paragraph and/or background information (DHP-1), Specific EconomicSituation (DHP-2) and Closing (DHP-3). However, the moves and steps under eachpattern are different from that of Lung’s. Through analyzing those moves and stepsunder the patterns, the characteristics of the genre are revealed as well, indicating thatorganization of moves and steps in the patterns which attribute to the nature ofeconomics. For example, information introduced in DHP-1may involve vast economicbehaviors, actions and situations, which may involve issues like unemployment, auction,exports, etc. It covers a wide range of topics which involve not only the nation’s generaleconomy, but also the everyday experiences in the economy of buyers, sellers, workersand citizens.2. Because of the complexity of the language, the distinction of various disciplines,and the diversity of communicating purposes, there is a very low likelihood of employing only one or two type of patterns in a text from the beginning to the end. Inthe introduction of research articles in economics, it utilizes the8types of thematicprogression patterns which are raised by Yu Jianping and Xu Xueping (2005). TheConstant Theme Pattern accounts for the largest proportion with its41.3%, whichreveals that the genre inclines to make the readers feel involved and respected in thearticle and help the writers to reduce the space from readers. The Linear Theme Patterncovers about16%, which is followed by the Independent Pattern (13.5%). Thefrequencies of other five patterns are all below10%. This orientation in choosing thetype of thematic organization patterns reveal the writing rules, requirements for this theintroduction.3. In DHP-1, the most frequency pattern is Constant Theme Pattern. Through usingthis pattern, the DHP-1can introduce the topic clearly. In DHP-2, the most frequencypattern is the Constant Theme Pattern and Linear Theme Pattern. Within DHP-2, theDHP-2-M1inclines to utilize the Constant Theme Pattern; the DHP-2-M2inclines touse the Independent Pattern; while the DHP-2-M3employs the Constant Theme Patternand the Linear Theme Pattern most frequently. In DHP-3, the Hyper Theme Pattern ismost frequently used. The application of the all those thematic pattern meets thecommunicative purposes of the specific move and step. Through utilizing them, thepaper can be explained and developed logically and explicitly.The findings of the study are expected to be helpful in developing academicwriting strategies for professional scholars, Chinese writers and students, who may needto be instructed in the mastery of prototypical structure and thematic progression patternchoices suited to research writing for economic publications in English.