Create-a-research-
space (CARS) Model
Mr. Edward Jay Quinto
Assistant Professor , English and Educational Technology Clusters
School of Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences (SLHS)
August 3, 2015
Questions:
What do you find difficult about concept paper writing?
What do you know about writing in your field?
What do you need to know?
Source: Swales and Feak (2009) Academic Writing For Graduate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press.
Structure and Language in
Academic Writing
Writing Introductions - the CARS Model
Source: Swales and Feak (2009) Academic Writing For Graduate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press
I. The CARS Model
The Introduction section of research papers typically follows a
specific pattern
This rhetorical pattern is referred to as the create-a-research-
space (CARS) Model
In this model, the work of others and/or what is known about
the topic is primary and your own work is secondary
This is also called a background/foreground relationship
Source: Swales and Feak (2009) Academic Writing For Graduate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press
Three (3) Moves
The CARS model has three (3) rhetorical moves:
• Move 1: Establishing a research territory
• Move 2: Establishing a niche
• Move 3: Occupying the niche
Source: Swales and Feak (2009) Academic Writing For Graduate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press
Move 1: Establishing a
research territory
a. show that the general area is important, problematic, or
relevant in some way (optional)
Language examples:
Recently, there has been a growing interest in…
The development of …is a classic problem in…
A central issue is…
The relationship between…and…has been investigated by many
researchers
Source: Swales and Feak (2009) Academic Writing For Graduate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press
Move 1: Establishing a
research territory
b. introduce and review items of previous research in the
area (obligatory)
The literature review can be organized:
1) Beginning with established major theories then moving to
theories associated with individual authors
2) In chronological order
3) According to the theories topics or findings
Source: Swales and Feak (2009) Academic Writing For Graduate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press
Move 2: Establishing a niche
Indicate a gap in the previous research, or extend previous
knowledge in some way (obligatory)
Language examples
However, little information…(attention, work, data, research, few
studies, investigations, researchers, attempts)
The research tended to focus on…
These studies have emphasized,…as opposed to…
Source: Swales and Feak (2009) Academic Writing For Graduate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press
Move 3: Occupying the
niche
a. outline purposes or state the nature of present research
(obligatory)
b. list research questions or hypothesis
c. announce principal findings
d. state the value of the present research
e. indicate the structure of the research paper
Source: Swales and Feak (2009) Academic Writing For Graduate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press
Practice!
Please look at the introductions I’ve handed out.
With a partner, please review the introduction
and try to identify the Three (3) Moves.
What language and content indicated a
rhetorical shift?
Source: Swales and Feak (2009) Academic Writing For Graduate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press
Questions?
Source: Swales and Feak (2009) Academic Writing For Graduate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press
Works Cited
Swales, John M. and Christine B. Feak. 2007.
Academic Writing for Graduate Students 2nd ed.
Ann Arbor: Univ. of Michigan Press.
Source: Swales and Feak (2009) Academic Writing For Graduate Students. Ann Arbor:
University of Michigan Press
