EVALUATIVE STANCES IN DISCURSIVE ESSAYS BY EFL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND THEIR REFLECTION

DOI: 10.18173/2354-1075.2024-0042

Abstract

This research examines the use of evaluative language in academic writing essaysabout living in dormitories by 15 EFL undergraduate students at a university in Hanoi. UsingMartin & White's Appraisal Framework (2005) and the UAM Corpus Tool, we analysed 15essays (5725 words). Findings show that students predominantly use Appreciation within theAttitude system and frequently employ quantifiers and intensifiers in Graduation, with onlyone instance of a Focus item. We also interviewed 7 of the 15 Vietnamese EFL undergraduatestudents to assess their awareness of the importance of evaluation in writing and to improvetheir writing capacity