Between East and West: The Rhetoric of the Self in L2 Student Writing and Implications for the Teaching of Writing
Between East and West: The Rhetoric of the Self in L2 Student Writing and Implications for the Teaching of Writing

Summary/Abstract: This paper discusses problems raised by cultural differences with respect to self-narration and use of the first person in academic writing. Western culture most commonly views events from one’s own perspective (independent self), while Asian cultures typically position the self as part of the event (interdependent self) (cf., Markus and Kitayama 1991). The question asked then is how multilingual writers from East Asian cultures approach western academic prose and self-narration, especially in the context of today’s increased student mobility. In this paper, I propose teaching strategies for raising awareness of the self-centeredness of U.S. prose with L2 student writers and writing instructors. Samples of low-stake writing assignments reinforcing the writer’s voice and the use of the first person are provided.

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