Abstract

The article focuses on the use and misuse of models-both appropriate and inappropriate-in the report-writing practices of first year physics students, especially those from non-English speaking backgrounds. It analyzes the students' propensity to use any available text on a given topic as a source of model sentences. Examples of "copying" are provided and analyzed. It is argued that many forms of copying are legitimate learning strategies of novice writers, for the production of certain kinds of texts, but that this can become a problem when inappropriate models are used or when appropriate models are used inappropriately. Copying is discussed in relation to imitative learning and modeling as well as plagiarism, and some suggestions to improve teaching practice are made.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2003-09-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2003.816790
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly

References (45) · 1 in this index

  1. Developing a course in report writing skills
  2. 10.1126/science.182.4112.553
  3. Social Learning Theory
  4. College English
  5. 10.1017/S0140525X0003123X
Show all 45 →
  1. The mirror system, imitation, and the evolution of language
  2. Collaborative learning and the `conversation of mankind’
  3. 10.1017/S0140525X98001745
  4. 10.1037/11168-000
  5. 10.4324/9781315009698
  6. 10.1017/S0140525X98351742
  7. Language and the mirror system: a perception/action based approach to communicative development
  8. 10.2307/j.ctvjf9vz4
  9. 10.1017/CBO9781139173674.009
  10. Introduction: how a genre approach to literacy can transform the way writing is taught
  11. Bibliographical essay: developing the theory and practice of genre-based literacy
  12. Functional grammar in the language classroom: an interview with James Robert Martin
    The Language Teacher Online
  13. The Development of Writing Abilities (11–18)
  14. 10.1017/CBO9781139524551.018
  15. But I wasn’t cheating
  16. Reading-to-learn and writing-to-learn science activities for the elementary school classroom
  17. Write-to-learn science strategies
    Catalyst
  18. The Psychology of Written Composition
  19. College Physics
  20. Principles of Physics
  21. University Physics
  22. Fundamentals of Physics
  23. Intertextuality in tax accounting: generic, referential, and functional
  24. Systems of genres and the enactment of social intentions
  25. Experimental Methods. An Introduction to the Analysis and Presentation of Data
  26. 10.1080/09500789708666728
  27. On the language of physical science
  28. Some grammatical problems in scientific english
  29. Resistance to english language support
  30. Laboratory report writing skills for undergraduate Physics students
  31. 10.1093/applin/20.1.1
  32. On speech formulas and linguistic competence
    Lenguas Modernas
  33. Two puzzles for linguistic theory: native-like selection and native-like fluency
  34. Features and patterns in foreign language Learning
  35. Approaches to Academic Reading and Writing
  36. From information transfer to data commentary
  37. 10.1080/758484352
  38. The new abolitionism comes to plagiarism
  39. 10.1119/1.16539
  40. The perils of prediction: Score gains on IELTS after 10–12 weeks of intensive instruction