Moves in Academic Writing

What is a move in academic writing?

In academic writing, a move refers to a specific type of action or function that a writer performs within a text or document. Each move serves a specific purpose and helps to structure and organize the overall argument of the paper.

In other words, a move is a part of a larger rhetorical strategy that writers use to convey their ideas to readers. These moves often take the form of headings or subheadings in academic papers and serve as signposts to guide readers through the structure of the paper.

Examples of moves in academic writing include introducing the research question, presenting the literature review, describing the methods, analyzing the results, and drawing conclusions.

By breaking down a text into these individual moves, writers can more easily structure their arguments and convey their ideas in a logical and persuasive manner.

Understanding the concept of moves can be particularly helpful for EFL learners, as it can provide a framework for analyzing and deconstructing academic writing in order to improve their own writing skills.