1. The Interpersonal Positioning of L2 Writers in Argumentative Texts
Efstathia Samara
Ph. D. Candidate
University of Athens

2. Interpersonal positioning refers to
How writers position themselves in relation to their readers
How lexico-grammatical choices construe different types of authorial ‘voice’ and social relationships

3. Dialogic approach to writing Bakhtin’s views of language
Writing is a form of verbal interaction
Writers should constantly anticipate and respond to readers’ potential reactions

4. Objectives of the study
To explicate EFL writer’s problems in terms of interpersonal meanings
To explore how far L2 writers can manage their interaction with readers

5. Text Analysis at two levels:
AT A GENRE LEVEL
AT A DISCOURSE
SEMANTICS LEVEL

6. Text analysis at a genre level
Generic structure of argument
Interpersonal function of generic stages – how the text has been structured to facilitate its processing by readers

7. Topic of argumentative essay:
Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life. Which do you consider to be the major influence?

8. Prescribed steps in an analytical discussion with respective interpersonal functions
Seek attention/ Build background
Justify the point
Clarify writer’s stance on issue
Reinforce the stance taken
1. Identification/ Background
2. Arguments for 1st position
3. Arguments against 1st position
(Arguments for 2nd position)
4. Thesis
5. Reiteration of thesis/Summary of points/Suggestions

9. Elaboration of main points features the greatest variation
Student sample of ineffective, writer-oriented elaboration
“ In my opinion, experiences that we have in life have the major influence in our personality. Our characteristics make us act in several ways, but our experiences make us choose what we really want to do. With our experiences we learn to be social, independent and confident”.

10. Text analysis at a discourse semantics level:
MODALITY
Signals the entry of other voices in the text
Indicates the writer’s willingness to acknowledge diverse opinions
Opens up space for negotiation
Brings the ‘reader in the text’ (Thompson & Thetela)

11. Student sample with modality indicators
“ We exchange views and therefore we sometimes change the way we have been thinking from our birth. For example, when we are with friends and talking about the good and the bad in our life it is possible to change our view as we hear options we may have never been thought”.

12. Results by Writing Proficiency
Writing Performance by level
Modality */
Discourse Semantics
Interactive Generic
Structure B1
2.9
25% B2
2.5
33% C1
2.6
66%
*Mean Frequencies per 100 words, Total Corpus: words
*Mean Frequencies per 100 words

13. Modality and Interactive Structure by Writing Proficiency Level

14. Pedagogical Implications
L2 writing can be improved if writers are explicitly taught to manage successful interaction in the text