| The use of stance markers in writing research article abstracts is crucial since they demonstrate the author’s stance and engagement,assist authors in making their points clear,and direct readers toward further reading.This study aims to examine the four micro-linguistic stance elements and analyze stance markers’ functions in abstracts of applied linguistics research articles.A corpus of 496 abstracts,sampled from seven top applied linguistics publications,is compiled to fulfill the task.Seven leading journals in applied linguistics with an impact factor above 2.0 were chosen based on their representativity and reputation.The findings are as follows:The stance markers that appear the most frequently in research article abstracts,from high to low,are hedges,boosters,self-mentions,and attitude markers.Hedges are used frequently,which lowers the level of commitment to the argument and shows that the author wants to engage with the reader.Booster frequency,which is second only to hedge frequency,is intended to increase the certainty of the proposition,indicating that the author wants the reader to agree with the argument.Self-mentions are considerably less frequent than boosters,which forges a bond between the reader and the author.Attitude markers appear the least to strengthen the paper’s objectivity.The interpersonal function of stance markers promotes the authors’ and readers’ interpersonal connection,which in turn encourages the reasonable expression of academic stances and the promotion of academic viewpoints;the pragmatic function of stance markers is to protect the authors’ and possible readers’ good reputations by abstaining from needless face-threatening activities.This will encourage academic exchanges by fostering a positive rapport between the writers and the readers.Findings from this study may help writers about the use of stance markers in academic research articles and help particular students promote their way of presenting their opinions and themselves in the writing of research article abstracts. |
