Scaling Writing Ability: A Corpus-Driven Inquiry

Dylan B. Dryer University of Maine

Abstract

This analysis of 83 scoring rubrics and grade definitions from writing programs at U.S. public research universities captures the current state of the struggle to define and measure specific writing traits, and it enables an induction of the underlying theoretical construct of “academic writing” present at these writing programs. Findings suggest that writing specialists have managed to permeate U.S. first-year writing assessment with certain progressive assumptions about writing and writing instruction, but they also indicate critical areas for revision, given such documents’ critical gatekeeping role at postsecondary institutions. The study also raises a broader question about the difficulties of rhetorically constructing “writing ability” in a way that is consistent with the contextualist paradigm dominant in contemporary writing studies.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
2013-01-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088312466992
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

  1. Written Communication
  2. Assessing Writing
  3. Assessing Writing

References (70) · 25 in this index

  1. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Race and writing assessment
  3. 10.2307/j.ctt46nxp6
  4. Handbook of research in writing: History, society, school, individual, text
  5. Assessing Writing
Show all 70 →
  1. 10.1017/CBO9780511804489
  2. Language and symbolic power
  3. Research in the Teaching of English
  4. Perceptions of writing skill
  5. Interfaces between second language acquisition and language testing research
  6. 10.2307/j.ctt5hjn6c
  7. Assessing Writing
  8. 10.2307/j.ctt5hjt92
  9. 10.2307/j.ctt5hjpc7
  10. Writing genres
  11. Worlds apart: Acting and writing in academic and workplace contexts
  12. 10.1002/j.2333-8504.1961.tb00286.x
  13. On a scale: A social history of writing assessment in America
  14. 10.1080/15348450802619979
  15. Advances in discourse studies
  16. Research in the Teaching of English
  17. 10.2307/356491
  18. Research in the Teaching of English
  19. Initial report on a survey of CCCC members
  20. 10.1016/j.jeap.2010.02.004
  21. Educational measurement
  22. Assessing Writing
  23. Written Communication
  24. Assessing Writing
  25. Gaining ground in college writing: Tales of development and interpretation
  26. 10.1177/016146811201300411
  27. 10.1016/j.jeap.2009.10.001
  28. 10.3102/00346543060002237
  29. Written Communication
  30. Assessing Writing
  31. Assessing Writing
  32. Advances in discourse studies
  33. 10.1191/0265532202lt230oa
  34. College Composition and Communication
  35. 10.1057/9780230511910
  36. Written Communication
  37. 10.1080/00335638409383686
  38. Handbook for the development of performance standards: Meeting the requirements of Title I
  39. The changing of knowledge in composition: Contemporary perspectives
  40. Writing in the workplace: New research perspectives
  41. 10.37514/PER-B.2009.2324.2.09
  42. 10.2307/j.ctt4cgpx8
  43. 10.2307/3588141
  44. Poe M. (2006). Race representation and writing assessment: Racial stereotypes and the construction of identit…
  45. Handbook of writing research
  46. 10.37514/PER-B.2003.2317.2.06
  47. Assessing Writing
  48. Journal of Writing Research
  49. Research in the Teaching of English
  50. Written Communication
  51. 10.2307/j.ctt4cgq0p.17
  52. From incomes to outcomes: FYW students’ prior genre knowledge, meta-cognition, and the qu…
    WPA: Writing Program Administration
  53. 10.37514/PER-B.2003.2317.2.10
  54. Written Communication
  55. Written Communication
  56. College English
  57. Transitions: Writing in academic and workplace settings
  58. Written Communication
  59. Written Communication
  60. 10.1037/h0071519
  61. On the uses of rubrics: Reframing the great rubric debate
    English Journal
  62. 10.1080/10245280108523562
  63. College Composition and Communication
  64. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  65. What is “college-level” writing? Volume 2: Assignments, readings and student writing samples