The role of ‘this’ in Academic The role of ‘this’ in Academic and Research English and Research English

The struggles of an EAP The struggles of an EAP PractitionerPractitioner

John M Swales John M Swales (jmswales@umich.edu)(jmswales@umich.edu)

Some cohesive ties in EnglishSome cohesive ties in English

• I hate the rain. So do I/I do too/me also.I hate the rain. So do I/I do too/me also.

• I hate the rain, but I guess it’s necessaryI hate the rain, but I guess it’s necessary

• I hate the rain; however, the farmers need itI hate the rain; however, the farmers need it

• The rain is heavy. This may cause floods.The rain is heavy. This may cause floods.

• The rain is very heavy. This development surprised The rain is very heavy. This development surprised the meteorologists.the meteorologists.

Some Basic Frequency DataSome Basic Frequency Data

• In Hyland’ corpus of 240 research articles:In Hyland’ corpus of 240 research articles:

• ThisThis is the 15 is the 15thth most frequent word ( most frequent word (these these is 32is 32ndnd))

• In the written BNC In the written BNC this this falls to # 30falls to # 30

• In Hyland, #14 is In Hyland, #14 is byby; #16 is ; #16 is onon

Why is “this” so common in academic Why is “this” so common in academic prose?prose?

• The Longman Grammar: (Biber et al. 1999)The Longman Grammar: (Biber et al. 1999)

““the high frequency of the high frequency of this/thesethis/these both as determiners and both as determiners and pronouns in academic prose is due to their use in marking pronouns in academic prose is due to their use in marking immediate text reference”immediate text reference”

• Anna Mauranen (1993)Anna Mauranen (1993)

““One rhetorical effect that One rhetorical effect that thisthis produces is an impression of produces is an impression of closeness and solidarity between reader and writer. It has the closeness and solidarity between reader and writer. It has the effect of bringing the reader round to the writer’s orientation, or effect of bringing the reader round to the writer’s orientation, or point of view, by implying that the writer as well as the reader are point of view, by implying that the writer as well as the reader are both “here”, on the same side, looking at things from the same both “here”, on the same side, looking at things from the same perspective”perspective”

A first complexity: A first complexity: this v. itthis v. it

• 1) The temperature will fall below freezing 1) The temperature will fall below freezing tonight.tonight.

• 1a) 1a) It It will be as low as -5will be as low as -5° C in some areas.° C in some areas.

• 1b) 1b) This This may cause frost damage.may cause frost damage.

Larger EntitiesLarger Entities

• This article This article has argued that time-travel is has argued that time-travel is feasible.feasible.

• This research tradition This research tradition (as described in the first (as described in the first three chapters) has a long history.three chapters) has a long history.

• ““text reference” (Halliday & Hasan 1976); text reference” (Halliday & Hasan 1976); “situational reference” (Petch-Tyson, 2000)“situational reference” (Petch-Tyson, 2000)

Hinkel (2004)Hinkel (2004)

• ““A singular demonstrative pronoun has a A singular demonstrative pronoun has a limited referential capacity…and cannot be limited referential capacity…and cannot be used to refer to entire contexts or implied used to refer to entire contexts or implied referents”.referents”.

• For Hinkel, capturing multiple reference points For Hinkel, capturing multiple reference points requires a demonstrative determiner followed requires a demonstrative determiner followed by an appropriate noun. Her example:by an appropriate noun. Her example:

““Senator Smith called members of his party useless, and Senator Smith called members of his party useless, and this this gaffegaffe is likely to lead to his resignation.” is likely to lead to his resignation.”

A Second ComplexityA Second Complexity

• So when to use a simple So when to use a simple this this and when and when toto follow follow thisthis immediately with a noun? immediately with a noun?

• A slew of terminology: “attended” A slew of terminology: “attended” thisthis (Geisler et al. 1985); “supported” (Geisler et al. 1985); “supported” thisthis (several authors); (several authors); thisthis + “associated + “associated nominal” (Huckin & Olsen, 1991); nominal” (Huckin & Olsen, 1991); thisthis + + summary word (Swales & Feak, 1994).summary word (Swales & Feak, 1994).

Little discussed in major Little discussed in major GrammarsGrammars

But of course But of course The Grammar Book:The Grammar Book:

a)a) Strauss (1993) 40% in speech unattendedStrauss (1993) 40% in speech unattended

b) “demonstrative usage might be quite genre b) “demonstrative usage might be quite genre specific in written discourse” (p. 308) since use specific in written discourse” (p. 308) since use was constrained in book-notice genre, but not in was constrained in book-notice genre, but not in essay genre (where stylistic and rhetorical effects essay genre (where stylistic and rhetorical effects could come into play).could come into play).

First DecisionsFirst Decisions

• The choice of “attended” and The choice of “attended” and “unattended” “unattended” thisthis

• Restriction to subject position, even though Restriction to subject position, even though other options are, of course, possible:other options are, of course, possible:““Some authors argue that people of similar background will Some authors argue that people of similar background will share similar beliefs. Others, however, question share similar beliefs. Others, however, question this this proposition.proposition.

This This alone, and the problem of alone, and the problem of ambiguityambiguity

• ““Many phrasal verbs in English have both literal Many phrasal verbs in English have both literal and idiomatic meanings, and are used in both and idiomatic meanings, and are used in both general and specialized contexts. general and specialized contexts. This This causes causes problems for learners.problems for learners.

• What does? The problem of “broad reference” What does? The problem of “broad reference” (Kolln 1999)(Kolln 1999)

• Geisler et al: judicious economy v. potentially Geisler et al: judicious economy v. potentially ponderous clarification.ponderous clarification.

A third ComplexityA third Complexity

• Repetition of previous noun or something Repetition of previous noun or something more?more?

Each chapter ends with a summary of the main points.Each chapter ends with a summary of the main points.

A) A) This summary This summary is primarily designed to help students is primarily designed to help students studying on their own.studying on their own.

B) B) This strategy This strategy is primarily designed to help students is primarily designed to help students studying on their own.studying on their own.

The body of this talkThe body of this talk

• 1) My struggles with this topic, especially in terms of 1) My struggles with this topic, especially in terms of teaching materialsteaching materials

• 2) Corpus linguistics; the data from Hyland2) Corpus linguistics; the data from Hyland

• 3) Overzealous teaching and the case of Meilan Zhang3) Overzealous teaching and the case of Meilan Zhang

• 4) Re-examination of Hinkel’s and Geisler’s usage 4) Re-examination of Hinkel’s and Geisler’s usage distinctionsdistinctions

• 5) General reflections5) General reflections

Writing Scientific English Writing Scientific English (1971)(1971)

In some parts of the world In some parts of the world sulphur deposits lie too deepsulphur deposits lie too deep to be mined in the ordinary way. However, in about to be mined in the ordinary way. However, in about 1900 an American engineer called 1900 an American engineer called Herman FraschHerman Frasch developed a processdeveloped a process for the extraction of for the extraction of this deep-this deep-lying lying sulphursulphur. . The Frasch processThe Frasch process depends on the fact that depends on the fact that the boiling point of sulphur is only a little above the the boiling point of sulphur is only a little above the boiling point of water. The process consists of three boiling point of water. The process consists of three basic operations. First, basic operations. First, large amounts of water are large amounts of water are super-heatedsuper-heated; in other words, the water is heated ; in other words, the water is heated under pressure to above its normal boiling point. under pressure to above its normal boiling point. Secondly, Secondly, this super-heated waterthis super-heated water is pumped down the is pumped down the well so that it well so that it melts the sulphurmelts the sulphur. Finally, . Finally, this molten this molten sulphursulphur is pumped to the surface. is pumped to the surface.

Central positionCentral positionVerb phrase carries the Verb phrase carries the

information:information:

• S1 Sulphur deposits lie S1 Sulphur deposits lie too deeptoo deep

• S3 Herman Frasch S3 Herman Frasch developed a processdeveloped a process

• S5 Large amounts of S5 Large amounts of water are super-heatedwater are super-heated

• S6 so that it melts the S6 so that it melts the sulphursulphur

Non-central positionNon-central positionNoun phrase carries the Noun phrase carries the

information:information:

• S2 This deep-lying S2 This deep-lying sulphursulphur

• S4 The Frasch processS4 The Frasch process

• S6 This super-heated S6 This super-heated waterwater

• S7 This molten sulphurS7 This molten sulphur(Notice also the use of this to refer back to something already mentioned.)

David Charles (Aston, c. David Charles (Aston, c. 1981)1981)The students said they wanted more tests.The students said they wanted more tests.

a) a) ThisThis surprised the instructor. surprised the instructor.

b) b) This requestThis request surprised the instructor. surprised the instructor.

c) c) This request for more testsThis request for more tests surprised the instructor. surprised the instructor.

The students said they wanted more tests.The students said they wanted more tests.

a) This a) This statementstatement surprised the instructor. surprised the instructor.

b) This b) This demanddemand surprised the instructor. surprised the instructor.

c) This c) This ultimatumultimatum surprised the instructor. surprised the instructor.

d) This d) This hopehope surprised the instructor. surprised the instructor.

Swales & Feak (1994)Swales & Feak (1994)

Opening unit: “flow”, i.e. “moving from Opening unit: “flow”, i.e. “moving from one statement in the text to the one statement in the text to the next” (p.21)next” (p.21)

1) sentence connectors; 2) 1) sentence connectors; 2) ThisThis + summary word. + summary word.

on 2) short discussion + 3 pages of exerciseson 2) short discussion + 3 pages of exercises

• Choose an appropriate summary word to fill the gap.Choose an appropriate summary word to fill the gap.

5) Early in September each year, the population of 5) Early in September each year, the population of Ann Arbor, Michigan, suddenly increases by about Ann Arbor, Michigan, suddenly increases by about 20,000 as students arrive for the new academic 20,000 as students arrive for the new academic year.year.

This _________ changes the character of the town in a This _________ changes the character of the town in a number of ways.number of ways.

a) influx b) increase c) invasion d) rise e) jumpa) influx b) increase c) invasion d) rise e) jump

Swales & Feak (2000)Swales & Feak (2000)

Discussion and exercises expanded to 6 pages, but no Discussion and exercises expanded to 6 pages, but no indication (after 30 years!) of situations where unattended indication (after 30 years!) of situations where unattended “this” may be quite appropriate.“this” may be quite appropriate.

c.f. Giesler et al. 1985:c.f. Giesler et al. 1985:

““Out of control, the unattended Out of control, the unattended thisthis points everywhere and points everywhere and nowhere; under control, it is the language’s routine for nowhere; under control, it is the language’s routine for creating a topic out of a central predication, pointing to it, creating a topic out of a central predication, pointing to it, bringing it into focus, and discussing it; all done in one bringing it into focus, and discussing it; all done in one stroke, gracefully, economically, and without names”. (p. stroke, gracefully, economically, and without names”. (p. 153)153)

Meilan Zhang (2004)Meilan Zhang (2004)

ELI 630: One of five investigations of her own corpus ELI 630: One of five investigations of her own corpus and that of one in her field (Ed. Tech.)and that of one in her field (Ed. Tech.)

Her use of unattended Her use of unattended thisthis = 3% of the total (N =144) = 3% of the total (N =144)

RA use of unattended RA use of unattended thisthis = 25% of the total (N = = 25% of the total (N = 202)202)

Her typical summary words: Her typical summary words: group, unit, site, reviewgroup, unit, site, review

RA typical summary words: RA typical summary words: methodology, approach, methodology, approach, attribute, process attribute, process

Corpus Evidence (2005)Corpus Evidence (2005)

a) 4 MICASE dissertation defenses:a) 4 MICASE dissertation defenses:46% of 46% of this this unattended (similar to Strauss)unattended (similar to Strauss)

b) Fall 2005 620 class: one of their own papersb) Fall 2005 620 class: one of their own papers

about 30% of about 30% of this this unattended.unattended.

c) Hyland Corpus of 240 research articles + in house corpora c) Hyland Corpus of 240 research articles + in house corpora of 50 dental and 50 medical research papersof 50 dental and 50 medical research papers

(Jennifer McCormick, my undergrad RA) (Jennifer McCormick, my undergrad RA)

Investigative questionsInvestigative questions

In each sub-corpus:In each sub-corpus:a) where did a) where did this this occur in the frequency list?occur in the frequency list?

b) how frequent per 1000 words?b) how frequent per 1000 words?

c) How frequent in clause-initial position?c) How frequent in clause-initial position?

d) of CI instances, percentage unattended?d) of CI instances, percentage unattended?

e) If attended, most common NPs?e) If attended, most common NPs?

Word ranking and frequency per 1000 wordsWord ranking and frequency per 1000 words

FieldField Word-rankingWord-ranking per1000per1000

Applied linguisticsApplied linguistics 1111 6.86.8PhysicsPhysics 1313 7.07.0SociologySociology 1414 6.36.3Elec. EngineeringElec. Engineering 1414 6.76.7Mech. EngineeringMech. Engineering 1515 5.75.7MarketingMarketing 1515 6.36.3PhilosophyPhilosophy 1515 7.47.4DentistryDentistry 1616 5.15.1MedicineMedicine 1717 4.94.9Cell BiologyCell Biology 2424 3.83.8

FieldField % CI% CI Of these % UNATT.DOf these % UNATT.D

DentistryDentistry 5959 2525MedicineMedicine 5151 2626Cell BiologyCell Biology 5050 3131Applied LinguisticsApplied Linguistics 4343 3333Elec. EngineeringElec. Engineering 5353 3434Mech. EngineeringMech. Engineering 5656 4545MarketingMarketing 5454 3838SociologySociology 4646 3838PhysicsPhysics 5050 4242PhilosophyPhilosophy 4343 5656

Most Frequent Nouns attending “this”Most Frequent Nouns attending “this”

DentistryDentistry studystudy findingfinding result result patientpatient process process

Elec. Engin.Elec. Engin. approach algorithm method paper approach algorithm method paper techniquetechnique

PhysicsPhysics effect approach behavior contribution effect approach behavior contribution figurefigure

SociologySociology article model paper process grouparticle model paper process group

PhilosophyPhilosophy account article argument conclusion claim account article argument conclusion claim

Some (rare) complex NPS with “this”Some (rare) complex NPS with “this”

(Dent.) (Dent.) This This atypical behavior of poloxamer 407…atypical behavior of poloxamer 407…

(Mech) (Mech) This This underflow withdrawal flux…underflow withdrawal flux…

(Phil.) The problem with (Phil.) The problem with thisthis austere version of austere version of Platonism..Platonism..

(Soc.) One path around (Soc.) One path around thisthis apparent theoretical apparent theoretical impasse..impasse..

Unattended Unattended thisthis: Looking for : Looking for explanationsexplanations

60 examples in the Physics sub-corpus60 examples in the Physics sub-corpus

A)A) One of the main restrictions limiting…of the experiment is One of the main restrictions limiting…of the experiment is the rise-time of the field gradient pulse. the rise-time of the field gradient pulse. This This is typically is typically several hundred milliseconds…several hundred milliseconds…

A’)A’) This limitation This limitation can be partly avoided by…can be partly avoided by…

B)B) This reduction in the stored energy…is therefore 31%.This reduction in the stored energy…is therefore 31%.ThisThis is comparable with the reduction found by others.. is comparable with the reduction found by others..

C) …the width of this peak will decrease as the C) …the width of this peak will decrease as the numbers of oscillators and energy units increase. numbers of oscillators and energy units increase. This is already apparent in comparing Figs. 1 and 3. This is already apparent in comparing Figs. 1 and 3.

These explanations account for about 2/3 of the cases. These explanations account for about 2/3 of the cases.

But:But:

D) … very high accuracy is required in evaluating the D) … very high accuracy is required in evaluating the integrals in Eq. 33, if reliable numbers of the Langrage integrals in Eq. 33, if reliable numbers of the Langrage multipliers are to be obtained. multipliers are to be obtained. ThisThis is especially true if, is especially true if, as in our case, a large number of target points are used.as in our case, a large number of target points are used.

E) The third term of Eq. 21, i.e. Ahkl, is an inherent E) The third term of Eq. 21, i.e. Ahkl, is an inherent parameter and was first pointed out By Kasuya and parameter and was first pointed out By Kasuya and leCraw [24]. leCraw [24]. This This is determined by the processes…is determined by the processes…

Geisler’s the central predication is “in focus”Geisler’s the central predication is “in focus”

Corpus findings:Corpus findings:

Unattended “this” is more likely when followed by:Unattended “this” is more likely when followed by:

a) a simple copula (“is”) or a simple modal (“may be”)a) a simple copula (“is”) or a simple modal (“may be”)

b) Present tense verbs, such as b) Present tense verbs, such as indicates, means, suggestsindicates, means, suggests

c) On the last, c) On the last, this suggests this suggests is more common than is more common than

this NP suggests this NP suggests (46/79 instances in Hyland)(46/79 instances in Hyland)

By way of conclusionsBy way of conclusions

• Some new facts on the ground about ‘this’ in RAsSome new facts on the ground about ‘this’ in RAs

• Still a matter of tacit knowledge?Still a matter of tacit knowledge?

• Instructional stricturesInstructional strictures

““drummed out of me in high school”drummed out of me in high school”

““pizza”pizza”

Meilan ChangMeilan Chang

• ““writers should make sure that opportunities for writers should make sure that opportunities for useful emphasis or additional characterization useful emphasis or additional characterization have not been lost by leaving a have not been lost by leaving a thisthis unattended’ unattended’ (Geisler et al, 1985: 151)(Geisler et al, 1985: 151)

• Should EAL students attempt to match the Should EAL students attempt to match the published 30% unattended?published 30% unattended?

• Tradeoff between clarity and economyTradeoff between clarity and economy

• A professional cast to the text (but philosophy?)A professional cast to the text (but philosophy?)

• ““over-use” reduces ambiguityover-use” reduces ambiguity

• An occasional option under certain conditionsAn occasional option under certain conditions

• Reduction of summary nouns in published articles Reduction of summary nouns in published articles because of revision pressures?because of revision pressures?

Further researchFurther research

• Think-aloud protocolsThink-aloud protocols

• Other languages (just one paper in French)Other languages (just one paper in French)

• Initial demonstrative prepositional phrases:Initial demonstrative prepositional phrases:

In this case (119); In this way (60); In this sense In this case (119); In this way (60); In this sense (31);(31);

In this context (23); In this respect (17) In this context (23); In this respect (17)