Data commentary in science writing: Using a small, specialized corpus for formative self-assessment practices
Book chapter, 2015

Data commentary, the verbal comment on visual material, is a complex area in science writing; yet, few studies in academic writing focus on it. This chapter presents an approach to the teaching and learning of data commentary in ESP writing within the science disciplines involving direct application of a small, specialized corpus of data commentaries drawn from published research articles and master’s theses, all annotated for rhetorical moves. We exemplify how formative self-assessment practices of data commentaries can be developed from corpus-informed computer-assisted learning activities combining top-down discourse analysis with bottom-up corpus analysis, and outline a methodology for self-assessment practices. Our approach illustrates how a specialized corpus and purposefully crafted learning activities can assist students in continuous self-assessment practices. Such facilitation is of crucial value today as pedagogical and curricular developments in science education increasingly emphasize students’ awareness of communicative practices.

Author

Andreas Eriksson

Chalmers, Applied Information Technology (Chalmers), Language and Communication

Lene Nordrum

Chalmers, Applied Information Technology (Chalmers), Language and Communication

Studies in Corpus Linguistics

1388-0373 (ISSN)

59-83

Subject Categories

Languages and Literature

Pedagogical Work

Specific Languages

Learning and teaching

Pedagogical work

DOI

10.1075/scl.70.03nor

More information

Latest update

8/9/2023 1