A study examined the linearity of discourse in letters to the editor written in English by native Japanese speakers and native English speakers. The objective was to examine the linear and non-linear patterns of Japanese and English speakers' letters, respectively. It is concluded that cultures are not limited to one rhetorical pattern, and linear and non-linear rhetorics are universal. Certain rhetorical styles may predominate in a given culture, depending on the writer's social and personal circumstances, and a writer conscious of stylistic conventions can more easily learn new conventions than one who is not. When teaching composition, it is a mistake to say that English is intrinsically linear, and if the linear form appears foreign to Japanese students, it is because they have not been taught this form yet. The students' problems in writing English may mirror their problems in writing Japanese as a result of poor education. The so-called linear form cannot be taught well in a classroom environment uncomplementary to critical thought, or imposed through rote memorization. Teachers of English as a second language should not hesitate to correct errors in logic. The target rhetorical form, not the students' supposed rhetoric, should be emphasized. (MSE)