Modes of positioning agency in academic writing

Abstract

This study aims to enhance our understanding of agency in academic writing by examining its multidimensional nature. It takes a holistic socio-cultural and narrative approach to agency, viewing it as a dynamic process that is socially situated and includes awareness of one’s actions, goals, and autonomy. The study is based on interviews and drawings from eight bachelor’s thesis writers at a Finnish university. The data is analyzed through positioning analysis, identifying four orientations to writer agency: instrumental, questioning, self-willed, and solitary. The findings highlight the tensions between individuals and the academic community in academic writing and underscore the importance of institutional support. Trust and positioning are identified as crucial elements in the practice of agency. The research suggests that creating self-portraits as an academic writer during the writing process and sharing them with others can be a practical way to position oneself in the academic community and enhance one’s understanding of agency.