The Rhetorical Structure of Preface Sections in Textbooks: Variations across Disciplines

The present study investigated disciplinary similarities and differences in the rhetorical structure of 120 preface sections drawn from three soft disciplines, namely applied linguistics, business administration, law, as well hard computer sciences, chemistry, biology. While overall results showed a five-move structure, some disciplines emphasized use particular moves. Announcing objectives Outlining organization moves were obligatory all while Establishing needs readership move was more predominant biology prefaces. Identifying audience common science prefaces, finally Acknowledging contributions frequent sciences law also other features used prefaces frequency with which they occurred different fields. concluded recommendation to conduct similar genre-based studies help clarify variations sections..