ERIC Number: EJ779587
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2002
Pages: 32
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0741-0883
EISSN: N/A
The Personal Narrative as Cultural Artifact: Teaching Autobiography in Japan
Dyer, Brenda; Friederich, Lee
Written Communication, v19 n2 p265-296 2002
The article explores the purpose and methods of teaching the personal narrative in foreign language classrooms. Following a cross-cultural comparison of the history, purpose, and form of autobiography in first-language contexts in the United States and Japan; a review of the place of personal narrative in second- and foreign-language composition theory and practice; and the results from survey research involving 160 Japanese freshman students about high school writing instruction in English, a rationale and methodology for teaching personal narrative to Japanese college students of English is presented. The five-paragraph, thesis-driven personal essay presented in English as a second language/English as a foreign language textbooks is critiqued, with recommendations for a more organic form synthesizing story and essay, as in Barrington's concept of "scene, summary and musing." The limitations of peer editing are discussed, and the bundan writing workshop is described as an effective alternative.
Descriptors: Writing (Composition), Cross Cultural Studies, Textbooks, Second Language Instruction, Writing Workshops, Autobiographies, Foreign Countries, Personal Narratives, Teaching Methods, Essays, English (Second Language), College Freshmen, High School Students
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: High Schools; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Japan; United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A