This document discusses how a person's first language and culture can influence their writing in a second language. Specifically, it notes that in Canada the main idea is usually introduced first, followed by supporting ideas, while some other cultures may jump between ideas or place the main idea in the middle. This can make information presented in these other styles confusing for Canadians. The document advocates training all personnel in an organization in basic creative thinking skills by providing techniques for alternative thinking as a way to encourage creativity.

4. “Contrastive Rhetoric is the
Study of How a Person’s First
Language and Culture Influence
His or Her Writing In a Second
Language”
*
*Wikipedia (2010)

5. In Canada we usually introduce the main or
most important idea first. Next comes the
supporting ideas or ideas of much less
importance.

6. In some other cultures they give one idea,
jump to another, then the next, and so on
and end up at the most important idea last.

7. Yet another culture gives many ideas one
after another which seem unrelated. In the
middle of all these ideas is the main idea.

8. ? ? ?
To Canadians, information given
following the patterns in the previous
two examples is very confusing!

9. The following slide contains an example of
the way in which Canadians commonly like
to give and receive information.

10. “In any organization, there should be an
attempt to train all personnel in basic creative
thinking skills. This can be done most easily
by providing training about the techniques of
alternative thinking. By providing techniques,
we are providing people with something to do.
Just telling people to be creative is not enough
– it helps them to have an activity to practice
their skills”