Expressing Authorial Stance in Research Articles: Rhetorical Mechanisms

Abstract

This article examines stance as a key rhetorical resource in scientific writing, with a focus on its manifestations in the Introduction and Discussion sections, using examples from research in agriculture and food technologies. The study emphasizes the necessity of expressing authorial stance to justify the selection of sources, demonstrate their relevance, and enhance the persuasive power of the scientific text. A typology of stance (comprising epistemic, evaluative, affective, and interactive types) is presented, along with a detailed description of their rhetorical strategies. Drawing on the Create a Research Space (CARS) model for introductions and a functional structure of the discussion section, the article analyzes how stance is realized at each rhetorical stage: establishing a research territory, identifying a niche, and occupying the niche (in the introduction), as well as interpreting results, comparing with previous research, acknowledging limitations, and making recommendations (in the discussion). Examples (in both Russian and English) from academic texts in the fields of agriculture and food technologies illustrate how stance strengthens the connection between scientific findings and broader global issues.