Announcing one s work in PhD theses in computer science: A comparison of Move 3 in literature reviews written in English L1, English L2 and Spanish L1

Abstract

In this paper I explore cross-linguistic rhetorical variation in the Literature Review chapters of 30 doctoral theses of computer science written by English L1 (EngL1), Spanish L1 (SpaL1) and English L2 (EngL2) writers. Using Kwan s (2006) genre-analytical framework (Move 1: Establishing one part of the territory of one s own research; Move 2: Creating a niche; Move 3: Occupying the research niche), I particularly examine how writers present their research in Move 3 (M3). The results show the functional importance of M3 strategies in the computer science PhD thesis LRs. The texts in English present a higher number of occurrences and a wider range of M3 strategies than the SpaL1 texts. However, the SpaL1 texts are more homogeneous in terms of rhetorical distribution. Variation is also found in the linguistic mechanisms the writers of the three groups use to make themselves visible and promote their work. National writing styles, discipline conventions and language barriers to effective interpersonal communication seem to interact with these writers. EAP courses and specific genre-based writing instruction could help emerging writers to successfully manage M3 strategies.