Writing Between the Lines: ESL Learners' Metadiscourse Awareness and Its Impact on Writing Performance

Abstract

Many English as Second language (ESL) learners find it difficult to write in their second language writings. Metadiscourse (MD) refers to devices that assist writers in interacting with their readers and explaining their thoughts coherently. However, many learners are unaware to use or do not appropriately utilise MD devices in their writing. Meanwhile, researchers in Malaysia have paid little attention to the MD. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine ESL learners' awareness of MD and its relationship to their ESL writing performance. The study included 60 undergraduates from a local institution in Malaysia. The data were gathered using an English-written essay and a questionnaire. The essays were assessed using a verified scale and the questionnaire was evaluated using the SPSS software. The findings indicate that the participants have a minimal knowledge of MD. Most participants have low awareness of MD devices and slightly low use of the devices in their writing. It was also found that there is a slightly positive relationship between the participants’ awareness of MD and their writing performance. The study gives insight to researchers and lecturers, not only in the language field but in other areas, on improving the learners’ awareness and use of MD which would eventually develop their writing performance