Written Communication Apr 1987 Open Access

The Writing of Research Article Introductions

JOHN SWALES ; HAZEM NAJJAR

Abstract

Introductions to research articles (RAs) have become an important site for the analysis of academic writing. However, analysts have apparently not considered whether RA introductions typically include statements of principal findings. In contrast, this issue is often addressed in the manuals and style guides surveyed, most advocating the desirability of announcing principal findings (APFs) in RA introductions. Therefore, a study of actual practice in two leading journals from two different fields (physics and educational psychology) was undertaken. In the Physical Review 45% of the introductions sampled contained APFs (with some increase in percentage over the last 40 years), while in the Journal of Educational Psychology the percentage fell to under 7%. These figures are at variance with the general trend of recommendations in primary and secondary sources. Thus preliminary evidence points to (a) a mismatch between descriptive practice and prescriptive advice and (b) diversity in this rhetorical feature between the two fields.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
1987-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088387004002004
Open Access
OA PDF Green
Topics
scientific writing multilingual writers voice and style

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (21)

  1. Tham (2026)
    Exploring the Rhetorical and Agentive Functions of Scholarly Biosketches in Aca…
    Rhetoric Review
  2. Zerbe et al. (2025)
    The Rhetoric of Science in (Times of) Crisis
    Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  3. Omizo (2024)
    Automating Research in Business and Technical Communication: Large Language Mod…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Carter (2023)
    Identifying Specific Arguments in Discussion Sections of Science Research Artic…
    Rhetoric Review
  5. Austin (2022)
    Traversing Academic Contexts: An Egyptian Writer’s Literacy Learning Trajectory…
    Written Communication
Show all 21 →
  1. Omizo (2020)
    Machining Topoi: Tracking Premising in Online Discussion Forums with Automated …
    Computers and Composition
  2. Cole (2015)
    <i>Kairos</i>and Quantification: Data, Interpretation, and the Problem of<i>Cra…
    Rhetoric Review
  3. Wickman (2015)
    Locating the Semiotic Power of Writing in Science
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Shehzad (2011)
    Outlining Purposes, Stating the Nature of the Present Research, and Listing Res…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Dahl (2009)
    The Linguistic Representation of Rhetorical Function
    Written Communication
  6. Journet (2005)
    Metapahor, Ambiguity, and Motive in Evolutionary Biology
    Written Communication
  7. Varghese et al. (2004)
    Book-Length Scholarly Essays as a Hybrid Genre in Science
    Written Communication
  8. Dysthe (2002)
    Professors as Mediators of Academic Text Cultures
    Written Communication
  9. Paul (2000)
    In Citing Chaos
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  10. BLAKESLEE (1997)
    Activity, Context, Interaction, and Authority
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  11. SULLIVAN (1996)
    Displaying Disciplinarity
    Written Communication
  12. PAUL et al. (1995)
    Introducing Chaos (Theory) into Science and Engineering
    Written Communication
  13. McCARTHY et al. (1994)
    Revising Psychiatry's Charter Document
    Written Communication
  14. BERKENKOTTER et al. (1993)
    Rethinking Genre from a Sociocognitive Perspective
    Written Communication
  15. THOMPSON (1993)
    Arguing for Experimental “Facts” in Science
    Written Communication
  16. HARE et al. (1991)
    The Influence of Interpretive Communities on Use of Content and Procedural Know…
    Written Communication

Cites in this index (0)

No references match articles in this index.

Also cites 6 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1016/0272-2380(84)90004-0
     ↗
  2. 10.1177/004839318101100305
     ↗
  3. 10.1093/applin/7.1.57
     ↗
  4. Peterson, M. S.
    Scientific thinking and scientific writing
     ↗
  5. 10.1016/0272-2380(81)90004-4
     ↗
  6. 10.2307/3586236
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 122 View in citation network →

Related Articles

  1. Research in the Teaching of English May 2014
    On the Instability of Disciplinary Style: Common and Conflicting Metaphors and Practices in Text, Talk, and Gesture ↗
    Andrea R. Olinger
    scientific writing multilingual writers voice and style
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 2013
    Improving Scientific Voice in the Science Communication Center at UT Knoxville ↗
    Russel Hirst
    scientific writing multilingual writers voice and style
  3. Written Communication Jul 2007
    Impersonal, General, and Social ↗
    Gabriella Rundblad
    scientific writing multilingual writers voice and style
  4. Research in the Teaching of English Oct 1997
    Tense Choices in Citations ↗
    Thomas Hawes; Sarah Thomas
    scientific writing multilingual writers body and rhetoric voice and style
  5. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 1985
    Language and the Healing Arts: Some Recent Texts on Medical Writing ↗
    Robert E. Bjork
    composition theory multimodality scientific writing multilingual writers voice and style