Written Communication Apr 1987

Examining the Source of Writing Problems: An Instrument for Measuring Writers' Topic-Specific Knowledge

GEORGE E. NEWELL ; PHYLLIS MacADAM

Abstract

Recent research suggests that if we overlook topic knowledge we may ignore an important source of students' writing problems. Given that writers' topic knowledge affects how and what they compose, this article presents a systematic strategy for examining topic-related knowledge prior to writing. Included in the discussion is a theory-based rationale for the measure, a formalized method for analyzing topic knowledge, and a guide for using the instrument.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
1987-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088387004002003
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

References (23) · 2 in this index

  1. Anderson, R. C.
    Schooling and the acquisition of knowledge
     ↗
  2. Applebee, A. N.
    Writing in the secondary school: English and the content areas
  3. Applebee, A. N.
    What writers know
  4. Applebee, A. N.
    Contexts for learning to write: Studies of secondary school instruction
  5. 10.3102/00346543054004577
     ↗
Show all 23 →
  1. Bransford, J. D.
    Schooling and the acquisition of knowledge
  2. Clark, H.
    New horizons in linguistics
  3. 10.1017/S0047404500009039
     ↗
  4. Langer, J.
    Perspectives in reading research and instruction
  5. Langer, J. (1981)
    National Writing Conference Newsletter
  6. Langer, J.
    Reader meets author/bridging the gap: A psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic perspective
  7. Langer (1984)
    The Effects of Available Information on Responses to School Writing Tasks
    Research in the Teaching of English
  8. 10.2307/747918
     ↗
  9. Langer, J. (1986)
    Journal of Reading
  10. 10.1080/10862968109547426
     ↗
  11. Langer, J.
    Reading and concept development
  12. Martin, N. , D'Arcy, P., Newton, B. & Parker, R. (1976). Writing and learning across the curriculum: …
  13. Meyer, B. F.
    The organization of prose and its effects on memory
  14. Meyer, B. F.
    Understanding expository text: A theoretical and practical handbook for analyzing explana…
  15. Newell (1984)
    Learning from Writing in Two Content Areas: A Case Study/Protocol Analysis
    Research in the Teaching of English
  16. Rumelhart, D.
    Schooling and the acquisition of knowledge
  17. Spiro, R. J.
    Theoretical issues in reading comprehension
  18. Wells, G.
    Learning through interaction: The study of language development
CrossRef global citation count: 4 View in citation network → Build reading path →