‘Verbs’ in Thesis and Journal-Article Introductions: A Comparative Functional Approach

This transitivity study aims to delineate the ‘verbs’ employed in introduction sections of students’ English-major theses (IST) reference those research articles (ISRA) published by TESOL journal. To obtain this purpose, ten from ISRA were analysed as parameter, and 10 its IST counterparts evaluated. Both data sets initially scrutinized for their categorization process types. Then analysis was followed specific processes each type. All executed employing tables adapted framework Halliday Matthiessen. The reveals that compared with journal, meaning making is inclined be represented less investigative material, verbal, mental clauses. Some are reflected verbs ‘use’, ’want’, ‘say’, etc., while knowledge building shown more such ‘investigate’, ‘find’, ‘question’, etc. Overall, clauses (RA) ones undergraduate still lack supporting basis building. It expected findings contribute field academic writing, is, give insight student thesis writers into how make functionally.