A CORPUS-BASED STUDY OF STANCE FEATURES IN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS OF ESL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

Authors

  • Roslina Abdul Aziz MARA University of Technology image/svg+xml
  • Khairul Firhan Yusob MARA University of Technology image/svg+xml
  • Evanna Devi Seyapalan Universiti Teknologi MARA
  • Siti Noor Aisyah Hasnan MARA University of Technology image/svg+xml
  • Norzie Diana Baharum Universiti Teknologi MARA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452/

Keywords:

Argumentative writing, corpus-based, ESL, stance features.

Abstract

Argumentative writing requires students to present clear position and develop persuasive arguments through the effective use of stance feature, which according to past studies is proven challenging to ESL learners. This study aimed to investigate the use of stance features among ESL learners in Malaysia by analysing the stance features used and how they were used. Using a corpus-based approach, 145 argumentative essays were compiled and analysed using LancsBox X. Hyland’s Interactional Metadiscourse Framework was adopted to guide the analysis of stance features; edges, boosters, self-mentions, and attitude markers.  The findings revealed that hedges and boosters were used most frequently, while self-mention was the least used.  Concordance analysis revealed that even though learners are aware of the need to express stance, the use was still limited and lacking the rhetorical sophistication expected in academic writing. The study stresses the crucial need for explicit instructions of stance features in ESL academic writing classrooms.

Author Biographies

  • Roslina Abdul Aziz, MARA University of Technology

    Roslina Abdul Aziz has built up a career as an academic for more than 25 years at Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang. She holds a PhD in Corpus Linguistics from University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Her research interests include areas in Corpus Linguistics, Genre Analysis,  and English language teaching/learning. Her ORCID is https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6834-2064

  • Khairul Firhan Yusob, MARA University of Technology

    Khairul Firhan Yusob completed his Bachelor’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language with honours at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and subsequently obtained his Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics and PhD in English Language from Universiti Putra Malaysia. He currently serves as Lecturer at UiTM and is attached to the Academy of Language Studies. His research interests include corpus linguistics, genre studies, English for Specific Purposes, and applied linguistics. Orcid ID: 0000-0003-0061-4136 

  • Evanna Devi Seyapalan, Universiti Teknologi MARA

    Evanna Devi,PhD is a Senior Lecturer at the Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pahang Branch. She obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from university Putra Malaysia (UPM) in 2023. Her doctoral research primarily focused on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) with a particular emphasis on vocabulary acquisition among ESL learners.Her research interests span a range of key areas within applied linguistics and language education, including: Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), Second LanguageAcquisition (SLA),Vocabulary Acquisition, Curriculum Development, Language Assessment and Linguistics. Orcid ID ; 0009-0001-0192-7655

  • Siti Noor Aisyah Hasnan, MARA University of Technology

    Siti Noor Aisyah Hasnan is a senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Pahang Branch. She earned her PhD in English literature at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Her academic interests encompass Asian literature written in English, with a particular emphasis on diasporic and transnational narratives. Orchid id: 0000-0001-9290-6405

  • Norzie Diana Baharum, Universiti Teknologi MARA

    Norzie Diana Baharum teaches English Language Proficiency at UiTM Cawangan Pahang. Having read literature at IIUM and served UiTM for 16 years, her research interests include World Literature, Women’s Writings, Sociolinguistics, and English language classroom practices. ORCHID ID: 0009-0002-1445-0363

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Published

2026-10-21

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 3: July 2026

Section

Articles

How to Cite

A CORPUS-BASED STUDY OF STANCE FEATURES IN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS OF ESL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA. (2026). JuKu: Jurnal Kurikulum & Pengajaran Asia Pasifik, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.22452/