Self-mention Markers and their Rhetorical Functions in Dentistry Research Articles - A Corpus-based Study of Intradisciplinary Variations within Seven Dentistry Subdisciplines

Oct 15, 2026

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Research on intradisciplinary variations in self-mention marker use in dentistry research articles remains limited. This corpus-based study examines self-mention markers across seven dentistry subdisciplines, identifies sections using more self-mention devices, and analyzes common rhetorical realizations of first-person pronouns. The framework draws on Hyland’s four rhetorical functions. Results show limited variations across six subdisciplines, with “we/our” frequent in Discussions. Periodontics favors passive constructions. Explanations and claims are dominant realizations, informing discourse and ESP/EAP instruction.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Identity and academic writing

Self-mention as a rhetorical strategy

Personal pronouns in research articles

Advances in Language and Literary Studies ISSN: 2203-4714 [www.alls.aiac.org.au](www.alls.aiac.org.au) | Self-mention Markers and their Rhetorical Functions in Dentistry Research Articles: A Corpus-based Study of Intradisciplinary Variations within Seven Dentistry Subdisciplines
Hesham Suleiman Alyousef1*, Najd Emad Q. Alotaibi2
1Department of English Language and Literature, College of Arts, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2Department of English Language and Literature, College of Arts and Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
Corresponding Author: Hesham Suleiman Alyousef, [E-mail: hesham@ksu.edu.sa](E-mail: hesham@ksu.edu.sa) | | | --- | --- | | ARTICLE INFO | ABSTRACT
Research on intradisciplinary variations in self-mention marker use in research articles (RAs) in dentistry subdisciplines is lacking. The present study investigates self-mention markers used in each of the seven dentistry subdisciplines (oral sciences, periodontics, endodontics, pediatrics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and orthodontics), sections of RAs that employ more self-mention devices in each of the seven dentistry subdisciplines, and common rhetorical realizations of first-person pronouns in the seven dentistry subdisciplines. The analytical framework was primarily based on Hyland’s (2003) four rhetorical functions of self-mentionsin RAs. The findings showed the lack of qualitative and quantitative intradisciplinary variations across six of the seven dentistry subdisciplines. The first-person plural pronouns “we” and “our”were the most frequently employed self-mention devices in the Discussion section of RAs. Authors in the periodontics subdiscipline preferred to retain an objective stance through the use of passive constructions, abiding by the conventional norms of academic writing that restrict them. The findings also revealed that explaining a procedure and stating findings/claims were the most frequent realizations associated with the use of self-mention devices, with the exception of periodontics RAs that employed passive constructions instead. The findings contribute to the fields of discourse and genre studies as well as ESP/EAP courses. They may have implications for dentistry RA writing and teaching. An awareness of more frequently used self-mentions in dentistry RAs and their rhetorical functions can help English dentistry scholars successfully produce RAs in line with the academic writing norms of each subdiscipline. | | Article history
Received: July 08, 2019
Accepted: September 14, 2019
Published: October 31, 2019
Volume: 10 Issue: 5
Advance access: October 2019 | | | Conflicts of interest: None
Funding: None | | | Key words:
Self-mention Markers, Rhetorical Move, Dentistry Research Articles, Academic Writing, Intradisciplinary Qualitative/ Quantitative Variations, Dentistry Subdisciplines | | INTRODUCTION Academic writing, like any other form of communication, is considered an act of identity; it not only clarifies disciplinary content but also has the responsibility of representing the writer. Academic writers attempt to promote themselves and their contributions to the field by revealing their identities. They attempt to convey their values, ideas, beliefs, and claims in their writing to persuade readers (Hyland, 2002) . In academic writing, identity can be defined as the way in which writers position themselves in their writing (Hyland, 2002) . Therefore, academic writers must consider the importance of their linguistic choices, as “every word a writer writes contributes to the impression she is creating of herself to a reader”(Ivanič, 1994, p. 5) . Academic writers use personal pronouns to present their research, explicitly reveal their contributions to the field, and show their solid authorial stance toward claims made. According to Ivanič (1998), there are three aspects of identity that appear in academic writing: the

FAQs

What does the study investigate about self-mention markers in dentistry research articles?

It investigates how self-mention markers are used across seven dentistry subdisciplines, which RA sections employ more self-mention devices, and how first-person pronouns are rhetorically realized.

Which rhetorical framework guides the analysis in this research?

The analysis is primarily based on Hyland’s (2003) four rhetorical functions of self-mentions in research articles.

What are the main findings regarding first-person pronouns and section-level use?

The study finds limited intradisciplinary variation across six subdisciplines, and it shows that “we” and “our” are the most frequently used self-mention devices in the Discussion sections.

Oct 15, 2026

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