Recitation-Imitation as a Model of Teaching English Writing in a Memetic Perspective

The thesis introduces memetics into the field of teaching English writing in the rural senior high schools in China. This thesis mainly studies recitation-imitation as a model of teaching English writing from the point of view of memetics. By the study of this model in the teaching practice, the writer hopes it can provide guidance to improve students’English writing skills in the rural senior high schools in China.Memetics is the application of Darwin’s evolution theory in the social science field. Meme is copied, transmitted and survives through imitation. Imitation is the core of memetics. The reproductive quality of memes makes people gradually gain a fresh understanding of the roles of recitation in the language learning. This infection of meme provides a close connection between memetics and relevant language learning theories and helps to set up an efficient model for teaching English writing under the guidance of memetics.The thesis provides a detailed literature review of memetics and related language learning theories. It makes an analysis of what is drawn from the application of the model of recitation and imitation in learning English as a foreign language (EFL) writing teaching, and designs questionnaires to obtain feedback on the application of this model. Theories and the experiment on this model show that the model of recitation and imitation in teaching English writing in a memetic perspective is an efficient one, able to improve students’English writing skills in rural senior high schools in China.At the end of the thesis, the writer points out that to apply the model of recitation and imitation, the length and the points of interest of the samples, the frequency and the productivity of the fixed phrases or patterns should all be taken into consideration. In addition, there should be varied activities of recitation and imitation in EFL writing teaching. The writer then also points out the weaknesses and limitations of this model, hoping that the further research will be done on the feasibility and practicability of this model.