ETERNAL: English Teaching Journal
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026): February

Discourse Analysis of Students’ Writing: The Interplay Between Critical Thinking and Academic Vocabulary Use in Two Indonesian EFL Universities

Setyorini, Ajeng (Unknown)
Susanto, Dias Andris (Unknown)
A.B. Prabowo K.A. (Unknown)
Andi Priyolistiyanto (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
18 Feb 2026

Abstract

This study examines how critical thinking and academic vocabulary (breadth and depth) influence the discourse features of undergraduate essays at Universitas PGRI Semarang and Universitas PGRI Madiun. Using a comparative qualitative design with quantitative indicators, the research analyzed student texts, vocabulary assessments, and interviews to evaluate coherence, cohesion, and argumentative clarity. Findings indicate that higher critical engagement correlates with more stable rhetorical sequencing and a clearer authorial stance. Furthermore, students with stronger vocabulary resources demonstrated more precise lexical choices and varied academic expressions. The comparison reveals that systematic scaffolding at Universitas PGRI Semarang fosters more coherent discourse, whereas irregular instruction at Universitas PGRI Madiun leads to greater variability in writing quality. The results underscore the necessity of an integrated pedagogy that combines critical-thinking development, explicit vocabulary enrichment, and discourse-focused instruction to enhance academic writing in Indonesian EFL contexts.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

eternal

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

The aim of this journal publication is to disseminate the conceptual thoughts or ideas and research results that have been achieved in the area of English language teaching and learnings, literature and research ETERNAL: English Teaching Journal particularly focuses on the main problems in the ...