New Directions in Contrastive Rhetoric

TLDR

Contrastive rhetoric studies differences and similarities in writing across cultures, originally focused on student essays but now informing preferred writing patterns in many English‑for‑specific‑purposes contexts. This article explores new directions that contrastive rhetoric has taken. The article reviews past goals, methods, and achievements, then examines how contrastive rhetoric has been pursued with varied aims and methods in diverse EFL academic and professional writing contexts, and surveys recent criticisms and their influence on changing directions.

Abstract

Contrastive rhetoric examines differences and similarities in writing across cultures. Although mainly concerned with student essay writing in its e rst 30 years, the area of study today contributes to knowledge about preferred patterns of writing in many English for specie c purposes situations. This article discusses some of the new directions contrastive rhetoric has taken. Following a brief review of the goals, methods, and accomplishments of research in contrastive rhetoric during the past 30 years, the article examines how contrastive rhetoric has been pursued with varying aims and methods in a variety of EFL situations involving academic and professional writing. Recent criticisms of contrastive rhetoric and their effects on changing directions are then surveyed.