A Comparison of Chinese and English Essay Structures and Translation

Abstract

This paper explores the structural and rhetorical differences between Chinese and English essay writing, with a focus on their implications for translation. It begins by comparing the macro structures commonly employed in each tradition—namely, the Chinese Qi Cheng Zhuan He model and the English five paragraph essay format. At the micro level, it examines paragraph development, cohesive devices, and stylistic features such as tone, directness, and use of allusion. Drawing on contrastive rhetoric and translation theory, the study highlights the cultural logic underlying each writing system and analyzes how these differences affect cross linguistic readability and translation choices. Special attention is given to the challenges and strategies involved in translating essays across the two languages, especially concerning rhetorical adaptation and cultural equivalence.