Conceptual, rhetorical and linguistic transformations: Assessing L2 literature review writing using simulated tasks

IF 7.6 1区文学 Q1 EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

Assessing Writing Pub Date : 2026-04-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-20 DOI:10.1016/j.asw.2026.101013

Haiying Feng , Lawrence Jun Zhang , Kexin Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This research addresses a critical gap in assessing literature review (LR) writing among L2 learner writers in terms of knowledge transformation. By integrating three strands of literature—genre analysis, source-based writing, and discourse synthesis—this study develops a framework that conceptualizes knowledge transformation along three dimensions: conceptual, rhetorical, and linguistic. It examines transforming performance of 125 Chinese students across bachelor, master, and doctoral levels through two simulated LR writing tasks, and explores the influence of factors including language proficiency and prior genre knowledge on their performance. Furthermore, it reveals the intricate interacting relationship among six transforming indicators (i.e., content units included, accuracy of information representation, extent of source integration, academic critiques and niche construction, verbatim copying, and lexico-grammatical errors). The results of textual and statistical analysis offer pedagogical implications, including enhancing compare-and-contrast practice, cultivating awareness of niche construction, and reducing L2 writers’ cognitive load in linguistic transformation.

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概念、修辞和语言转换：用模拟任务评估第二语言文献综述写作

本研究解决了从知识转化角度评估二语学习者的文献综述写作的一个关键空白。通过整合文学流派分析、基于来源的写作和话语合成这三条线索，本研究开发了一个框架，该框架将知识转换概念化，并沿着三个维度进行：概念、修辞和语言。通过两个模拟LR写作任务，研究了125名中国学生在本科、硕士和博士阶段的转化表现，并探讨了语言熟练程度和先前的体裁知识等因素对他们表现的影响。此外，它还揭示了六个转化指标（即内容单元包含、信息表示的准确性、来源整合程度、学术评论和生态位构建、逐字复制和词汇语法错误）之间错综复杂的相互关系。文本分析和统计分析的结果提供了教学启示，包括加强比较对比练习，培养小生境建构意识，减少二语作者在语言转换中的认知负荷。

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来源期刊

Assessing Writing Multiple-

CiteScore

6.00

自引率

17.90%

发文量

期刊介绍： Assessing Writing is a refereed international journal providing a forum for ideas, research and practice on the assessment of written language. Assessing Writing publishes articles, book reviews, conference reports, and academic exchanges concerning writing assessments of all kinds, including traditional (direct and standardised forms of) testing of writing, alternative performance assessments (such as portfolios), workplace sampling and classroom assessment. The journal focuses on all stages of the writing assessment process, including needs evaluation, assessment creation, implementation, and validation, and test development.