This paper opens with a brief account of the history of the English scientific research article (RA) over the past 350 years. Apart from a historical overview of the genre of RA, a synchronic analysis is also carried out on one of the main sections of the RA introduction. Two RA introductions from waterway and transportation engineering fields are presented and discussed here.The analysis shows that the two RA introductions are structured to perform different discourse functions, and confirms the hypothesis that Swales’ CARS model is applicable to these two RA introductions. Two new steps are also found: Move 2, Step 1B*, which signals shortcomings of the paper and is inserted into Move 3, Step 1B, and Move 1 or Move 3, Step 1*, which is introduced to define key concepts.