“Metaphors we learn by”: teaching essay structure and argumentation through conceptual metaphors

Abstract

In this study, we used Conceptual Metaphor Theory (henceforth CMT) for the benefit of English for Academic Purposes’ teaching and learning. CMT underpins how in metaphorical expressions, one concept is understood in terms of another. We argue that CMT can help students understand and master argumentation skills and essay structure, although there is little research on this topic. In this research, we focus on two metaphors: Arguments Are Buildings and writing is cooking, eating, digesting. The study was conducted through workshops for students of EAP using either Legos or cooking props to help them link the metaphors to their writing skills. After the workshops, students wrote an essay which was marked in accordance with the International English Language Testing System’s specification and compared to their average writing score throughout the semester. Findings show that students who took part in the workshops obtained a higher grade, particularly students who attended the workshop on the metaphor writing is cooking, eating, digesting.