Abstract This paper discusses tense usages in scientific papers under the theoretical framework of Swales' move analysis and Kanoksilapatham's structure of moves and steps. First, 60 papers were selected from the top international journals in material and chemistry fields. Then, a move analysis of the sample papers was conducted, finding a structure of 9 moves and 14 steps in the sample papers. Finally, tense usage rules were generalized through the means of communicative motives analysis of each moves and steps. Meanwhile, we also have the following findings: (1) the results of moves and steps in sample papers are basically in agreement with J. Swales and Kanoksilapatham's framework; (2) the use of tense should be decided not only by its grammatical functions of tenses but by the communicative functions of each step and move as well.
WANG Ya-Kun, WU Da-Yong. Structure and Tenses Usage of Academic Articles in Prestige Journals in Material and Chemistry Fields[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2020, 41(16): 93-100.
