Science and language: integrating discourse and context in the analysis of the Conclusions of experimental scientific articles “Memories of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute” (1909-1919 and 1980-1989)

Abstract

Abstract

The Conclusions of the experimental scientific articles from a traditional Brazilian journal were analyzed considering the 1909-1919 and 1980-1989 periods. The analysis integrated language and context by revealing types of arguments, rhetorical moves and linguistic traits. The findings were the change from a linear and less rhetorically elaborated discourse in the first period to a highly rhetorical density and ciclicity in the second period. They were correlated with the change from a cohesive, small and prestigious community to a big community pressured to adapt to the parameters of the big science, with no governmental support. The contributions to genre analysis, studies of science and teaching for academic purposes are discussed