Moves and Strategies: A Genre-Based Comparative Analysis of Introduction Sections in Applied Linguistics Theses by Students and Scholars

Abstract

This study employs the three-element theoretical framework of “structure, coherence, and expression techniques” from English writing, combined with empirical research on English writing in master’s theses, to systematically compare and analyze the genre characteristics and writing strategies of students’ and scholars ‘introductions in applied linguistics papers. Through text analysis and summarization of writing issues, the research reveals that scholars’ introductions demonstrate significantly superior performance in discourse completeness, logical coherence, and rhetorical strategies compared to student writings. Student introductions commonly exhibit issues such as loose structure, limited transitional words, excessive literal translation, and ambiguous academic stance. The paper proposes enhancing students’ introductory writing abilities through genre instruction, discourse analysis, and academic language training, thereby laying the foundation for their participation in international academic discourse.