Negotiation of Writing Norms

Abstract

This paper discusses two writing norms: monomodality and multimodality. Monomodality is based on the standardized native-speaker norm representing the monolingual view while multimodality focuses on pragmatism and pluralism. There has been a debate over the issue--which norm is useful to international students at the university level. “Glocalization” (i.e., integrating globalization with localization, or incorporating the English teaching with local cultures and values) is recommended as future writing communities become more diverse and multiple norms need to interplay with one another across various cultures. The paper concludes with “worldliness of English” and advocates the renovation of English by adjusting the English teaching to local cultures in a more inclusive, ethical, and democratic way.