Evaluative Functions of Reporting Evidentials in English Research Articles of Applied Linguistics

Abstract

Reporting evidentials are frequently used in Research Articles. Based on the data analysis of 50 English research articles of applied linguistics, the study shows that reporting evidentials not only function as indicating the information sources, but also have multiple evaluative functions. The analyses have proved this by showing the evaluative functions of reporting evidential in choosing different information sources and different realization forms. At the same time the persuasive effects and discourse implications of these different choices are also discussed.