An Empirical Study on Discourse Organization: Textual Discourse Analysis of L2 Learners

The research displays developmental features of discourse organization in Chinese English majors' L2 writings. Tendency was found from variety to oneness, and then to variety from freshmen to higher grades in terms of Discourse Pattern. The tendency for Thesis Statement developed more closely to the preferred English pattern. In addition, with the development of their English language Proficiency, students preferred to write summary in their writings. Based on the comparisons among three proficiency levels low, intermediate and high level group, significant differences were found. Good writers tended to apply less discourse patterns, and had the tendency to add summary to their writings. On location of Thesis Statement, they were more skillful and developing more and more toward stating thesis not simply initially. These findings can help promote the understanding of the development of L2 writing of Chinese EFL learners and provide insights into the role of discourse organization in L2 writing.