Grammatical Complexity, Discourse, and Second Language Research

The aim of this chapter is to review grammatical complexity research in written discourse in second language studies. The chapter first provides a conceptual overview of grammatical complexity and summarizes related research methods in second language research. Then, sample studies are provided to show how grammatical complexity and second language acquisition have been brought together in second language discourse. The sample studies emphasize the relationship between grammatical complexity and two major research constructs (i.e., second language development and performance) in different types of written second language discourse. The sample studies are about (a) grammatical complexity, discourse, and second language development and (b) grammatical complexity, discourse, and second language performance. The chapter concludes with pedagogical implications for teaching grammar in second language classrooms, suggested directions for future research on grammatical complexity, and recommendations for further reading. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Brian Paltridge and Matthew T. Prior; individual chapters, the contributors.