Research

Paul's research interests revolve around second language writing, a field of specialization informed by theoretical and methodological insights from rhetoric, composition and applied linguistics.

His approach to research, which is reflected in Second Language Writing Research: Perspectives on the Process of Knowledge Construction (2005), is decidedly interdisciplinary, issue-driven, and multimodal. He combines various modes of inquiry—including philosophical, historical, empirical and narrative—to address questions that arise from both disciplinary and pedagogical realms.

His current projects include identity in written discourse, with a focus on social voice, as well as the negotiation of language differences in writing and writing instruction. Other areas of research interest include: history of composition and applied linguistics; identity in electronic discourse; voice in academic writing; contrastive rhetoric; and alternative discourses.

Paul has received several awards for his research, including 2006 Richard Ohmann Award for the Outstanding Refereed Article published in College English (National Council of Teachers of English) and 2004 TOEFL Outstanding Young Scholar Award (Educational Testing Service). His article has also received honorable mention for the 2001 JSLW Award for the Best Article.

Paul has published in journals such as College Composition and Communication, College English, Composition Studies, Computers and Composition, English for Specific Purposes, International Journal of Applied Linguistics, Journal of Basic Writing, Journal of Second Language Writing, and Written Communication. His work also appears in various edited collections.

Paul has served on the editorial boards of Journal of Basic Writing, Journal of Second Language Writing, Reflections on English Language Teaching, Research in the Teaching of English, TESOL Quarterly, The Writing Instructor, and WPA: Writing Program Administration.

In addition, he has reviewed manuscripts for journals such as College Composition and Communication, DIRASAT, English for Specific Purposes, ERIC Digests, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, International Journal of English Studies, Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, Journal of Writing Assessment, and Written Communication. He has also served as the editor of TESOL's NNEST Newsletter.

Abstract of Paul's major publications are also available here.

For more information, please see Paul's curriculum vitae as well as the list of major publications with links to abstracts.