A corpus-driven study of features of Chinese students' undergraduate writing in UK universities

摘要: Chinese people now comprise the ‘largest single overseas student group in UK’ with more than 85,000 students registered at UK institutions 2009 (British Council, 2010a). While there have been many studies carried out on short argumentative essays from this (e.g. Chen, 2009), and postgraduate theses Hyland, 2008b), has comparatively little research conducted high-stakes genre of undergraduate assignments. This study examines assessed writing British undergraduates studying universities between 2000 2008; these are investigated using corpus linguistic procedures, supported by qualitative reading. A particular focus is use lexical chunks, or recurring strings words. Findings literature students’ written English indicate high informal connecting those containing first person pronouns Milton, 1999). found that while make greater connectors plural, both groups (limited) language. These areas difference apparent year 1/2 assignments 3, suggesting gradually conform to academy’s expectations. Unexpected findings which not previously identified include significantly higher tables, figures (or ‘visuals’) lists, compared writing. Detailed exploration within Biology, Economics Engineering suggests visuals lists different, yet equally acceptable, ways Since judged discipline specialists be a standard, it argued illustrates range acceptability level. The thesis proposes scholars therefore need consider expanding notion what constitutes ‘good’