Values that stories in self-improvement books promote
This article examines characteristics of stories in self-improvement books and the values they promote. The
analysis of 36 stories from four self-improvement books shows that they are used to illustrate advice. By focusing on grammatical
features (e.g., personal pronoun you, interrogative clauses) in the story components (e.g., evaluation, coda), my
study shows that these stories promote the idea that individuals, as the primary agent, are responsible for improving their lives
(i.e., happier and more fulfilled lives). A study of the coda components also shows that human beings are viewed as having the
ability and freedom to choose to improve their status quo. My study shows that stories in self-improvement books are a resource
for promoting values.
Article outline
- Introduction
- Self-improvement books
- Stories
- Methodology
- Text analysis
- Understanding the context
- Findings and discussion
- Purpose of stories in self-improvement books
- Functions of story components
- Abstract (20/36)
- Orientation (36/36)
- Incidents (36/36)
- Interpretation (36/36)
- Coda (31/36)
- Values that the stories promote
- Self-reliance and self-perseverance
- Individual freedom and equal opportunity
- Maximising innate ability
- The power of positive thinking
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgements
-
References
References
Adams, J. T.
(
1931)
The epic of America. New York: Little, Brown.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Adler, J. M., & McAdams, D. P.
(
2007)
Time, culture, and stories of the self.
Psychological Inquiry, 18(2), 97–99.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Askehave, I.
(
2004)
If language is a game – These are the rules: A search into the rhetoric of the spiritual self-help book If life is a game – These are the rules.
Discourse & Society, 15(1), 5–31.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Baker, P.
(
2006)
Using corpora in discourse analysis. London: Continuum.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Barrett, D.
(
2013)
Break free of your rut: 10 steps to discovering and breaking the patterns that dominate your life. Glastonbury, CT: Eternal Suffering Society.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Basturkmen, H.
(
2012)
A genre-based investigation of discussion sections of research articles in Dentistry and disciplinary variation.
Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 11(2), 134–144.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Becker, D., & Marecek, J.
(
2008)
Dreaming the American Dream: Individualism and positive psychology.
Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2(5), 1767–1780.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Bergsma, A.
(
2008)
Do self-help books help? Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(3), 341–360.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Brown, B.
(
2010)
The gifts of imperfection: Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are. Center City, MN: Hazelden.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Cain, S.
(
2012)
Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking. New York: Random House.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Cheong, E.-Y.
(
1999)
Analysis of sermons delivered by Korean, Filipino and American pastors: The view of genre analysis.
RELC Journal, 30(2), 44–60.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Cherry, S.
(
2008)
The ontology of a self-help book: A paradox of its own existence.
Social Semiotics, 18(3), 337–348.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Christensen, C., Allworth, J., & Dillon, K.
(
2012)
How will you measure your life?: Finding fulfilment using lessons from some of the world’s greatest businesses. London: HarperCollins.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Coyle, K., & Grodin, D.
(
1993)
Self-help books and the construction of reading: Readers and reading in textual representation.
Text & Performance Quarterly, 13(1), 61–78.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Cullen, J.
(
2003)
The American dream: A short history of an idea that shaped a nation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Davis, J. E.
(
2002)
Narrative and social movements: The power of stories. In
J. E. Davis (Ed.),
Stories of change: Narrative and social movement (pp. 3–29). New York: State University of New York Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
de Bono, E.
(
2004)
How to have a beautiful mind. London: Vermilion.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ding, H.
(
2007)
Genre analysis of personal statements: Analysis of moves in application essays to medical and dental schools.
English for Specific Purposes, 26(3), 368–392.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Dolby, S. K.
(
2005)
Self-help books: Why Americans keep reading them. Illinois: University of Illinois Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Dyer, W.
(
2010)
The shift: Taking your life from ambition to meaning. New York: Hay House.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Erjavec, K., & Volćić, Z.
(
2009)
A Slovene president’s self-help discourse: Making Slovenes more positive.
Critical Discourse Studies, 6(2), 97–110.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Flowerdew, J., & Wan, A.
(
2006)
Genre analysis of tax computation letters: How and why tax accountants write the way they do.
English for Specific Purposes, 25(2), 133–153.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Fu, X.
(
2012)
The use of interactional metadiscourse in job postings.
Discourse Studies, 14(4), 399–417.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Georgakopoulou, A.
(
2006)
The other side of the story: Towards a narrative analysis of narratives-in-interaction.
Discourse Studies, 8(2), 235–257.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Germer, C. K.
(
2009)
The mindful path to self-compassion: Freeing yourself from destructive thoughts and emotions. New York: The Guilford Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Grodin, D.
(
1991)
The interpreting audience: The therapeutics of self-help book reading.
Critical Studies in Mass Communication, 8(4), 404–420.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Henry, A., & Roseberry, R. L.
(
1998)
An evaluation of a genre-based approach to the teaching of EAP/ESP writing.
TESOL Quarterly, 32(1), 147–156.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Hight, A. J.
(
2011)
The American dream: Illusion of individualism and self-help in Oprah’s book club. (Masters), Northeastern University, Boston.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Holmes, J.
(
2005)
Story-telling at work: A complex discursive resource for integrating personal, professional and social identities.
Discourse Studies, 7(6), 671–700.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Jessop, B.
(
2002)
Liberalism, neoliberalism, and urban governance: A state–theoretical perspective.
Antipode, 34(3), 452–472.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Jones, J., Wood, P. H., Borstelmann, T., May, E. T., & Ruiz, V. L.
(
2011)
Created equal: A history of the United States (3rd ed.). New York: Prentice Hall.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Knight, B.
(
2013)
The power of negative thinking: An unconventional approach to achieving positive results. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Koay, J.
(
2019)
Persuasion in self-improvement books. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Labov, W., & Waletzky, J.
(
1967)
Narrative analysis: Oral versions of personal experience. In
J. Helme (Ed.),
Essays on the verbal and visual arts: Proceedings of the American Ethnological Society (pp. 12–44). Seattle: University of Washington Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Levorato, A.
(
2003)
Language and gender in the fairy tale tradition: A linguistic analysis of old and new story telling. London: Palgrave Mcmillan.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Martin, J. R., & Rose, D.
(
2008)
Genre relations: Mapping culture. London: Equinox.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Maxwell, J. C.
(
2007)
Talent is never enough: Discover the choices that will take you beyond your talent. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Maxwell, J. C., & Dornan, J.
(
2006)
Becoming a person of influence: How to positively impact the lives of others. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
McAdams, D. P.
(
2004)
The redemptive self: Narrative identity in America today. In
D. R. Beike,
J. M. Lampinen, &
D. A. Behrend (Eds.),
The self and memory (pp. 95–115). New York: Psychology Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
McGee, M.
(
2005)
Self-help Inc: Makeover culture in American life. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
McGraw, P.
(
2012)
Life code: The new rules for winning in the real world. Los Angeles: Bird Street Books.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
McKay, S., & Bonner, F.
(
2002)
Evaluating illness in women’s magazines.
Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 21(1), 53–67.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Miller, D.
(
1967)
Individualism: Personal achievement and the open society. Austin: University of Texas Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Muncy, J.
(
2002)
A few keys to all success: Discovering the best person I can be. Illinois: Few Keys.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Oldham, I.
(
2012)
5 tools to change your world: Taking control of what you experience. Bloomington, IN: Trafford.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Paul, A. M.
(
2001)
Self-help: Shattering the myth.
Psychology Today.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Pearson, P.
(
2012)
The eight facets of a fulfiling life. Sydney: Ignis Global.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Philip, B.
(
2009)
Analysing the politics of self-help books on depression.
Journal of sociology, 45(2), 151–168.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Polanyi, L.
(
1989)
Telling the American story: A structural and cultural analysis of conversational storytelling. Cambridge: The MIT Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Rohn, J.
(
2002)
The five major pieces to the life puzzle. Southlake, TX: Jim Rohn International.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Rose, D., & Martin, J. R.
(
2012)
Learning to write, reading to learn: Genre, knowledge and pedagogy in the Sydney school. Bristol: Equinox.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Sadeghi, V., & Samuel, M.
(
2013)
Genre analysis of the letters of appeal.
Discourse Studies, 15(2), 229–245.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Salmenniemi, S., & Vorona, M.
(
2014)
Reading self-help literature in Russia: Governmentality, psychology and subjectivity.
The British Journal of Sociology, 65(1), 43–62.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Samraj, B.
(
2005)
An exploration of a genre set: Research article abstracts and introductions in two disciplines.
English for Specific Purposes, 24(2), 141–156.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Spence, J. T.
(
1985)
Achievement American style: The rewards and costs of individualism.
American Psychologist, 40(12), 1285–1295.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Swales, J. M.
(
1990)
Genre analysis: English in academic and research settings. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Tessuto, G.
(
2015)
Generic structure and rhetorical moves in English-language empirical law research articles: Sites of interdisciplinary and interdiscursive cross-over.
English for Specific Purposes, 37(0), 13–26.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Thornbury, S., & Slade, D.
(
2006)
Conversation: From description to pedagogy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Upton, T. A., & Cohen, M. A.
(
2009)
An approach to corpus-based discourse analysis: The move analysis as example.
Discourse Studies, 11(5), 585–605.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Van Dijk, T. A.
(
1995)
Discourse semantics and ideology.
Discourse & Society, 6(2), 243–289.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Van Dijk, T. A.
(
2006)
Ideology and discourse analysis.
Journal of Political Ideologies, 11(2), 115–140.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Wilson, D. M., & Cash, T. F.
(
2000)
Who reads self-help books?: Development and validation of the self-help reading attitudes survey.
Personality and Individual Differences, 29(1), 119–129.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Woodstock, L.
(
2005)
Vying constructions of reality: Religion, science, and “positive thinking” in self-help literature.
Journal of Media & Religion, 4(3), 155–178.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Woodstock, L.
(
2006)
All about me, I mean, you: The trouble with narrative authority in self-help literature.
Communication Review, 9(4), 321–346.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Cited by
Cited by 2 other publications
Kabat, Adrian
2020.
Self-help incentives and threats associated with vocational development.
Educational Psychology 60:18
► pp. 132 ff.
![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Koay, Jeremy
2023.
Self-directed professional development activities: An autoethnography.
Teaching and Teacher Education 133
► pp. 104258 ff.
![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 29 may 2024. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers.
Any errors therein should be reported to them.