Influence of Cultural Norms and Collaborative Discussions on Children's Reflective Essays

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of culture and discussion participation on rhetorical patterns in the reflective essays of 238 Korean and 196 American 4th-graders. Results showed significant differences between Korean children's essays and American children's essays in types of reasons, uses of argument elements, and uses of rhetorical forms; but no difference in organizational structure. The effects of free-flowing collaborative discussions on children's essays interacted with culture. After participating in a series of discussions, Korean children made larger gains than American children in use of elements of argumentative discourse. © 2011 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.