Intercultural Rhetoric in the Written Academic Discourse: The Rhetorical Functions of Citation in Master Thesis Written by English and Spanish Native and Non-native Speakers

Abstract

This research derives from the interest in learning the cultural differences in citation practices in the academic genre of Master´s thesis of native Spanish (Ee), non-native Filipino writers of Spanish (Fe), native Filipino writers of English (Fi), and American writers of English. A total of thirty-two (32) master´s theses – eight (8) for each group – were analyzed. A quantitative and qualitative methodology was used to study this phenomenon based on the computerized textual analysis of the rhetorical function of citations arranged in typological classification that modified the outline proposed by Petrić in his 2007 article. The results obtained from the research showed that there are different cultural conventions used in the master thesis writing by each group.