Cohesion-First Rhetorical Architectures: A Corpus Analysis of Turkish EFL Metadiscourse

Authors : Fatih Ünal Bozdağ

Pages : 66-87

Doi:10.51726/jlr.1744953

View : 93 | Download : 236

Publication Date : 2025-12-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This corpus-based study investigates metadiscourse patterns in Turkish EFL academic writing through comparative analysis of the Turkish International Corpus of Learner English (TICLE) and Louvain Corpus of Native English Essays (LOCNESS). Using hybrid automated detection across eight functional categories, the study examines frequency distributions, co-occurrence patterns, length effects, and writer-level diversity to reveal systematic differences between Turkish learners and native speakers. Results demonstrate that Turkish learners construct cohesion-first rhetorical architectures prioritizing explicit textual organization and reader engagement markers. Conversely, native speakers employ integrated stance clusters, comibining hedges, boosters, and self-mentions to calibrate interpersonal positioning. Co-occurrence analysis reveals that Turkish learners organize metadiscourse around organizational hubs while treating stance marking as peripheral, whereas native speakers integrate stance functions within comprehensive rhetorical strategies. These findings challenge deficit-based approaches to L2 metadiscourse instruction. Effective pedagogy should build on Turkish learners’ demonstrated organizational competencies while systematically developing the interpersonal positioning that characterizes mature academic discourse through integrated rather than replacement-based instruction.
Keywords : üstsöylem, derlem dilbilimi, yabancı dil olarak İngilizce öğrenen Türk öğrenciler, akademik yazma, retorik gelişim

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