The Relationship between Formulating and Text Quality in L1 Writing

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The Relationship between Formulating and Text
Quality in L1 Writing

• Daphne van Weijen
• Uiltjesdagen
• April 17th 2007

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Cognitive Processes
Introduction Method Results
Conclusion
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Writing Process and Text Quality

• Text Quality varies both between and within
  writers
• How does what we do (process) influence the
  quality of what we create (the product)?
• Variations in text quality might be linked to
  variations in process execution

Introduction Method Results
Conclusion
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Main Research Question

• To what extent can variations in
• Text Quality within Writers
• be explained by variations in the way they
  execute the Writing Process?

Introduction Method Results
Conclusion
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Method (1)

• 20 subjects (BA, English, 19 years old)
• 4 short argumentative essays in L1 (Dutch)
• Think-aloud conditions
• Assignment and Sources
• Writing time 30 minutes per task

Introduction Method Results
Conclusion
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Method (2)

• 80 Think-aloud Protocols
• 11 main cognitive activities
• Quality Assessed twice by 5 judges
• Average Score 100 (s.d. 39.5)
• Range 19 170

Introduction Method Results
Conclusion
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Data Analysis

• Hierarchical Data ? Multilevel Analysis
• Level 1 segments (cognitive processes)
• Level 2 writing processes
• Level 3 subjects (4 tasks each)
• Estimate Probability of Occurrence at specific
  points during the Writing Process
• Segment number used as approximation of time
  elapsed since start

Introduction Method Results
Conclusion
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Differences between Subjects
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Subject 4 Formulating Curves per Task
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Subject 13 Formulating Curves per Task
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Subject 17 Formulating Curves per Task
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Formulating and Text Quality
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Conclusion

• The Probability of Occurrence of Formulating
  varies between and within Writers
• The relationship between Formulating and Text
  Quality varies over time and between tasks
• Variations in Formulating behaviour appear to
  reflect variations in Text Quality within subjects

Introduction Method Results
Conclusion
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Next Step

• Analyse the 10 other Cognitive Processes
• Investigate the effect processes might have on
  each other (combinations of processes)
• Investigate the effect of Writing in L2 (English)

Introduction Method Results
Conclusion
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• Thanks for Listening!
• Questions?
• Daphne.vanWeijen_at_let.uu.nl