The Propositional Content of Subject It-Extrapositions in Research Methods Sections

This paper explores the propositional content of subject it- extrapositions, which has received less attention because of individuality and variety in itself but may contribute to the pedagogical significance of studying grammatical features in relation to communicative functions. Using methods sections of international research articles in applied linguistics, I scrutinize the propositional content in order to understand when and where expert writers employ extrapositions. An analysis of extrapositions, referring to a possible counterpart, first person subject pronouns in the methods section, shows that content presented in it-clauses covers one not only applicable to present research or researchers but also general research or researchers in applied linguistics. Furthermore, a comparison of the journal papers is made with Korean students master s theses. The findings indicate that the students may not fully understand the communicative or rhetorical function. The examination of the propositional content is hoped to help students who are still vaguely using it - clauses.