Metadiscourse studies in written L2 English in the MENA region: A systematic review of literature

This systematic review critically examines metadiscourse research in the MENA region, addressing its underrepresentation on the global stage. By analysing 19 out of 964 identified studies, the review highlights the overwhelming reliance on Hyland's frameworks, with 89.47 % of studies utilising...

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Main Authors: Khalid Benraiss, Abdelhamid M. Ahmed, Lameya M. Rezk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Social Sciences and Humanities Open
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125001536
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author Khalid Benraiss
Abdelhamid M. Ahmed
Lameya M. Rezk
author_facet Khalid Benraiss
Abdelhamid M. Ahmed
Lameya M. Rezk
author_sort Khalid Benraiss
collection DOAJ
description This systematic review critically examines metadiscourse research in the MENA region, addressing its underrepresentation on the global stage. By analysing 19 out of 964 identified studies, the review highlights the overwhelming reliance on Hyland's frameworks, with 89.47 % of studies utilising his models, reflecting his significant influence in the region. However, the review uncovers significant methodological weaknesses, including inconsistent reporting, ambiguous research designs, and an over-reliance on a 'thin' approach to metadiscourse analysis. Additionally, the studies exhibit a narrow focus, both geographically and disciplinarily, with limited exploration of gender and cultural factors. These limitations hinder the comparability and generalizability of the findings, restricting the region's contribution to global metadiscourse research. The review calls for more diverse and rigorous methodologies, broader academic and geographical scopes, and greater integration of gender and cultural analyses to advance metadiscourse research in the MENA region and align it with global research standards. This study serves as a critical foundation for future research, offering clear recommendations to elevate the quality and impact of metadiscourse studies in this underexplored region.
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spelling doaj-art-8ca0fff027ff4139b56bf2d83e46d0a42025-08-20T02:37:01ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112025-01-011110142610.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101426Metadiscourse studies in written L2 English in the MENA region: A systematic review of literatureKhalid Benraiss0Abdelhamid M. Ahmed1Lameya M. Rezk2Linguistics, Faculty of Languages, Letters and Arts, English Department, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, MoroccoEnglish Language Education, Core Curriculum Program, Deanship of General Studies, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Corresponding author.English Language Education, Department of Educational Sciences, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha, QatarThis systematic review critically examines metadiscourse research in the MENA region, addressing its underrepresentation on the global stage. By analysing 19 out of 964 identified studies, the review highlights the overwhelming reliance on Hyland's frameworks, with 89.47 % of studies utilising his models, reflecting his significant influence in the region. However, the review uncovers significant methodological weaknesses, including inconsistent reporting, ambiguous research designs, and an over-reliance on a 'thin' approach to metadiscourse analysis. Additionally, the studies exhibit a narrow focus, both geographically and disciplinarily, with limited exploration of gender and cultural factors. These limitations hinder the comparability and generalizability of the findings, restricting the region's contribution to global metadiscourse research. The review calls for more diverse and rigorous methodologies, broader academic and geographical scopes, and greater integration of gender and cultural analyses to advance metadiscourse research in the MENA region and align it with global research standards. This study serves as a critical foundation for future research, offering clear recommendations to elevate the quality and impact of metadiscourse studies in this underexplored region.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125001536MetadiscourseMENA regionL2 written EnglishSystematic reviewResearchMethodologies
spellingShingle Khalid Benraiss
Abdelhamid M. Ahmed
Lameya M. Rezk
Metadiscourse studies in written L2 English in the MENA region: A systematic review of literature
Social Sciences and Humanities Open
Metadiscourse
MENA region
L2 written English
Systematic review
Research
Methodologies
title Metadiscourse studies in written L2 English in the MENA region: A systematic review of literature
title_full Metadiscourse studies in written L2 English in the MENA region: A systematic review of literature
title_fullStr Metadiscourse studies in written L2 English in the MENA region: A systematic review of literature
title_full_unstemmed Metadiscourse studies in written L2 English in the MENA region: A systematic review of literature
title_short Metadiscourse studies in written L2 English in the MENA region: A systematic review of literature
title_sort metadiscourse studies in written l2 english in the mena region a systematic review of literature
topic Metadiscourse
MENA region
L2 written English
Systematic review
Research
Methodologies
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125001536
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AT lameyamrezk metadiscoursestudiesinwrittenl2englishinthemenaregionasystematicreviewofliterature