Abstract

This study explores the assumption that writing is a way to learn by examining the influence of task interpretation on writing and studying as learning aids. Forty college freshmen performed two tasks: reading-to-write and reading-to-study. Approaches to each task were categorized to test for effects of task interpretation. Students answered passage-specific comprehension questions after each task and gave think-aloud protocols as they worked. To assess learning processes, protocol transcripts were analyzed using a taxonomy of cognitive operations. Writing led to lower scores than studying on two of four comprehension measures. Writing and studying led to different patterns of cognitive operations when students worked with a fact-based source passage, but (a) these differences interacted with task interpretation, and (b) virtually no effects of task were observed on a more abstract passage. Results indicate that task interpretation and the nature of the material to be learned are important mediating variables in the relationship between writing and learning.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
1992-10-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088392009004002
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (5)

  1. Written Communication
  2. Written Communication
  3. Written Communication
  4. Written Communication
  5. Written Communication

References (40) · 11 in this index

  1. Research in the Teaching of English
  2. Cognitive psychology and its implications
  3. Theoretical issues in reading comprehension
  4. Writing in the secondary school: English and the content areas
  5. Contexts for learning to write: Studies of secondary school instruction
Show all 40 →
  1. 10.3102/00346543054004577
  2. Fforum
  3. 10.2307/1129901
  4. annual meeting of the National Council of Teachers of English
  5. Research in the Teaching of English
  6. Written Communication
  7. 10.2307/356095
  8. 10.2307/357434
  9. Reading-to-write: Exploring a cognitive and social process
  10. 10.1080/10862968709547610
  11. Research in the Teaching of English
  12. 10.2307/377413
  13. 10.1080/10862969009547692
  14. 29th Yearbook of the National Reading Conference
  15. Research in the Teaching of English
  16. How writing shapes thinking: A study of teaching and learning
  17. Research in the Teaching of English
  18. 10.3758/BF03196955
  19. Eight approaches to teaching composition
  20. Research in the Teaching of English
  21. How the writing context shapes college students' strategies for writing from sources
  22. Research in the Teaching of English
  23. Written Communication
  24. Strategic differences in composing: Consequences for learning through writing
  25. Hearing ourselves think: Cognitive research in the college writing classroom
  26. Theoretical issues in reading comprehension
  27. Research in the Teaching of English
  28. 10.2307/377338
  29. Written Communication
  30. Taylor, C. A. (1984). The relative effects of reading or writing a prose or diagrammatic summary upon the com…
  31. Handbook of reading research: Vol. 2
  32. 10.2307/747862
  33. Thinking and writing in college: A naturalistic study of students in four disciplines
  34. Handbook of research on teaching
  35. Essays on classical rhetoric and modern discourse