ABSTRACT
27A major focus of ESP genre analysis has been on moves, those textual segments that make up a genre’s organizational structure and help the genre achieve its purposes. One reason for moves analysis’ popularity is that its findings can be translated into genre moves models, such as Swales’ CARS, for use in ESP classrooms. Of course, one fear about such models is that they will be applied by ESP teachers or students as formulas rather than as flexible guidelines. As we will see in this chapter and in Chapter 6, however, move analysis and moves-focused teaching materials are also capable of addressing genre variation and flexibility. In offering an overview of ESP moves analysis, this chapter begins by considering what moves are and then describes processes for examining them. These processes include text-focused moves identification, consultation with expert informants, and comparison of genre moves across different cultural contexts. At various points in the chapter you will also have opportunities to practice moves analysis on your own.
