Appraisal of Teachers’ Comments on Primary Students’ Reports: A Systemic Functional Linguistics

Authors

  • Indah Andriyani Sihombing Univesitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
  • Silvana Sinar Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
  • Thyrhaya Zein Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v13i2.13447

Keywords:

Attitude resources, Teachers’ comments, Systemic functional linguistics, Writing reports, Appraisal attitudes

Abstract

This study investigates how teachers employ appraisal attitude resources—specifically affect, judgment, and appreciation—in their written comments on primary students' report cards, using the analytical lens of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). Drawing on a qualitative phenomenological case study design, the research analyzed 30 teacher comments drawn from three subject areas: Mathematics, Language Arts, and Mandarin. The data collection also involved unstructured interviews with teachers to gain deeper insight into their comment-writing practices and underlying intentions. The analysis revealed a marked dominance of judgment resources, with 69 instances noted, which primarily conveyed evaluations of students' capabilities, behaviors, and attitudes toward learning. This was followed by 32 instances of appreciation, used to recognize the quality of students' work or learning outcomes. The least frequent were affect resources, with only 15 instances, indicating that emotional engagement or references to students' feelings were not a central focus in most comments. This distribution underscores a pedagogical emphasis on assessing students through their actions and academic performances rather than their emotional experiences. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for greater awareness of the linguistic resources teachers use in feedback and suggests that professional development in appraisal language could help teachers craft more holistic, meaningful, and student-centered evaluations.

Author Biographies

Indah Andriyani Sihombing, Univesitas Sumatera Utara

English Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia

Silvana Sinar, Universitas Sumatera Utara

English Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia

Thyrhaya Zein, Universitas Sumatera Utara

English Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia

References

Abuhasan, W. (2021). Developing language learners’ use of appraisal for argumentative writing: A systemic functional linguistics approach [Master’s thesis, University of Ottawa]. RUOR. https://ruor.uottawa.ca/

Anwar, M., Amir, F. R., Zuhriyah, S. A., Purbasari, R., & Rosa, H. T. (2024). Language Impoliteness in Memes Contesting the 2024 Presidential Election in Indonesia. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 12(4), 1899. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v12i4.12801

Bachisi, I. (2023). Becoming Mobile Readers-Narratives of Zimbabwean Teenagers’ Mobile Reading Experiences. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 11(4), 593. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v11i4.6699

Butt, D., Fahey, R., Feez, S., Spinks, S., & Yallop, C. (2000). Using functional grammar: An explorer’s guide (2nd ed.). Sydney, Australia: National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research, Macquarie University.

Cutler, L., & Graham, S. (2008). Primary grade writing instruction: A national survey. Journal of Educational Psychology, 100(4), 907–919. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0012656

Danis, N. (2022). A corpus analysis of disciplinary identity in evaluative journal articles: A Systemic Functional Linguistics approach. English for Specific Purposes, 68, 87–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2022.07.003

Derewianka, B. (1998). A grammar companion for primary teachers. Newtown, NSW: Primary English Teaching Association.

Derewianka, B., & Primary English Teaching Association (Australia). (1990). Exploring how texts work. Rozelle, NSW: Primary English Teaching Association.

Droga, L., & Humphrey, S. (2003). Grammar and meaning: An introduction for primary teachers. Berry, NSW: Target Texts.

Fatmawati, F., & Ningsih, R. (2024). Politeness in Expressive Speech Acts: A Cyber Pragmatics Approach. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 12(4), 1721. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v12i4.12620

Fontaine, L. (2013). Analyzing English grammar: A systemic functional introduction. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Gebhard, M., & Martin, J. R. (2010). Grammar and literacy learning. In D. Fisher & D. Lapp (Eds.), Handbook of research on teaching the English language arts (3rd ed., pp. 297–304). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum/Taylor & Francis.

Grenner, E., Ã…kerlund, V., Asker-Ãrnason, L., van de Weijer, J., Johansson, V., & Sahlén, B. (2020). Improving Narrative Writing Skills Through Observational Learning: A Study of Swedish 5th-Grade Students. Educational Review, 72(6), 691–710. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2018.1536035

Halliday, M. A. K. (1996). Literacy and linguistics: A functional perspective. In R. Hasan & G. Williams (Eds.), Literacy in society (pp. 339–376). London: Longman.

Halliday, M. A. K. (2014). An introduction to functional grammar (4th ed.). London: Routledge.

Halliday, M. A. K., & Matthiessen, C. M. I. M. (2004). An introduction to functional grammar (3rd ed.). London: Arnold.

Indarti, D., Fikri, N. A., & Manar, M. (2023). Exploring Figurative Language in the Kite Runner Novel: Unveiling Semantic Depths for a Deeper Narrative Understanding. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 11(4), 786. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v11i4.7867

Jomaa, N. J., & Bidin, S. J. (2019). Exploring process "verbs" in EFL postgraduates’ citations: A Systemic Functional Linguistics approach. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9(1), 131–138. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v9i1.13793

Labov, W., & Waletzky, J. (1967). Narrative analysis: Oral versions of personal experience. In J. Helms (Ed.), Essays in the verbal and visual arts (pp. 12–44). Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press.

Martin, J. R. (2009). Genre and language learning: A social semiotic perspective. Linguistics and Education, 20(1), 10–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2009.01.003

Martin, J. R., & Rose, D. (2007). Working with discourse: Meaning beyond the clause (2nd ed.). London: Continuum.

Martin, J. R., & Rose, D. (2008). Genre relations: Mapping culture. Oakville, CT: Equinox Publishing Ltd.

Martin, J. R., & Rothery, J. (1986). What a functional approach to the writing task can show teachers about “good writing.†In B. Couture (Ed.), Functional approaches to writing: Research perspectives (pp. 241–265). Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing Corporation.

Martin, J. R., & White, P. R. R. (2005). The language of evaluation: Appraisal in English. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Moloney, R., & Oguro, S. (2015). The Effect of Intercultural Narrative Reflection in Shaping Pre-Service Teachers’ Future Practice. Reflective Practice, 16(1), 96–108. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2014.969699

Ngongo, M. (2018). Taxis and logico-semantic relation in undergraduate students’ English theses writing text: A Systemic Functional Linguistics approach. Researchers World: Journal of Arts, Science and Commerce, 9(2), 146–155. https://doi.org/10.18843/rwjasc/v9i2/19

Oyadiji, O. (2020). Politeness in the interactions of selected Nigerian news-based virtual communities. Discourse & Communication, 14(2), 175–201. https://doi.org/10.1177/1750481319890388

Pillai, M. (2012). Narrative writing. Buzzle. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/narrative-writing.html

Qian, D. D., & Pan, M. (2019). Politeness in Business Communication: Investigating English Modal Sequences in Chinese Learners’ Letter Writing. RELC Journal, 50(1), 20–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033688217730142

Reflinaldi, R., Rahmi, A., Rezi, M., & Syahidin, A. (2024). Hacking Threat in Arab Cyberspace: Appraisal Analysis on Al-Hakirz Al-Muslimun’s Hacktivism Narratives. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 12(1), 353. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v12i1.9671

Salam, A., Mahfud, M., & Nurhusna, N. (2018). Scientific characteristic of academic texts: A study of Systemic Functional Linguistics. International Journal of Language Education, 2(2), 122–131. https://doi.org/10.26858/ijole.v2i2.5266

Schleppegrell, M. J. (2004). The language of schooling: A functional linguistics perspective. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Syailendra, A., Karim, S. A., Matas, G., Ramli, R., & Ismail, H. (2024). Elevating Students’ Narrative Writing Ability Through Local Legend Picture Series. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 12(4), 1871. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v12i4.12446

Syamsurrijal, S., & Arniati, F. (2024). A Study of the Metafunctions of Lombok Regional Slogans: Systemic Functional Linguistics Analysis. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 12(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v12i1.8779

Thompson, G. (1996). Introducing functional grammar. London: JW Arrowsmith Ltd.

Vettori, G., Mercugliano, A., Bigozzi, L., & Incognito, O. (2025). The Relationships Between Oral Narrative, Reading, and Writing Skills in a Longitudinal Sample of Italian-Speaking Children: The Moderating Role of Cognitive-Lexical Skills. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 40(1), 32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-024-00929-z

Xianwei, G., Samuel, M., & Asmawi, A. (2016). A Model Of Critical Peer Feedback To Facilitate Business English Writing Using Qzone Weblogs Among Chinese Undergraduates. 4, 17. https://doi.org/10.52380/mojet

Yanthi, E. Y., Elmustian, E., & Charlina, C. (2024). The Effect of ChatGPT-based Constructivist Learning Model on Observation Report Text Writing Skills. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 12(4), 1952. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v12i4.12430

Youssef, R. (2021). The Effect of the Reader Response Approach on Secondary School EFL Students’ Reading Comprehension of Narrative Texts. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Educational Studies, 2(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.21608/ihites.2021.60565.1037

Zabihi, R. (2018). The Role of Cognitive and Affective Factors in Measures of L2 Writing. Written Communication, 35(1), 32–57. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741088317735836

Zhang, H., Southam, A., Fanguy, M., & Costley, J. (2021). Understanding How Embedded Peer Comments Affect Student Quiz Scores, Academic Writing and Lecture Note-Taking Accuracy. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print). https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-01-2021-0011

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2025-04-19

How to Cite

Sihombing, I. A., Sinar, S., & Zein, T. (2025). Appraisal of Teachers’ Comments on Primary Students’ Reports: A Systemic Functional Linguistics. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 13(2), 664–674. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v13i2.13447

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

Citation Check

License

License and Publishing Agreement
In submitting the manuscript to the journal, the authors certify that:

  1. They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
  2. The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal.
  3. That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere,
  4. That its publication has been approved by all the author(s) and by the responsible authorities – tacitly or explicitly – of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
  5. They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
  6. They agree to the following license and publishing agreement.

Copyright
Authors who publish with JOLLT Journal of Languages and Language Teaching agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. 
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.

Licensing for Data Publication

JOLLT Journal of Languages and Language Teaching uses a variety of waivers and licenses, that are specifically designed for and appropriate for the treatment of data:
Other data publishing licenses may be allowed as exceptions (subject to approval by the editor on a case-by-case basis) and should be justified with a written statement from the author, which will be published with the article.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.