“Establish a niche” via <i>negation</i>: A corpus-based study of <i>negation</i> within the Move 2 sections of PhD thesis introductions

Abstract The past few decades have witnessed an upsurge of scholarly interest in the generic descriptions PhD theses following Swales’ seminal Genre Analysis . Fitted within Create A Research Space (CARS) model, thesis introduction plays a key role justifying research originality/significance, where novice writers engage with academic communities through “establishing territory” (Move 1), niche” 2), and “occupying 3). As hinge CARS Move 2 (hereinafter EN) is strategic importance as it enables to “sell” their ideas by pointing gap/niche “marketplace” previous research, which typically realized co-occurrences negation alongside other interpersonal language resources. Negation , disclaim marker Martin White’s appraisal framework, prominent linguistic indicator EN. Nevertheless, little has systematically examined use ENs introductions. Accordingly, study investigated via framework addressing subtypes ( disalignment cautious detachment unfulfilled expectation ) sections 120 theses. results showed that most frequent subtype while “not” “no” are commonly used indicators Our findings also revealed intriguing sub-categories relevant corpus-informed expected shed light on nature practice educators may take into account during writing instruction.