Effects of Case and Traditional Writing Assignments on Writing Products and Processes

LYNN P. ROZUMALSKI Nicolet Area Technical College ; MICHAEL F. GRAVES

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of case and traditional assignments on the writing products and processes of community college students. Specifically, each of 57 first-year business students in three sections of a business composition course wrote in response to either (a) two traditional assignments, (b) two short case scenario assignments, or (c) two lengthy, elaborated case assignments. Participants' letters were scored using a performance criteria rating scale for determining both overall quality and specific trait quality. Results indicate that the case assignments generally produced more effective writing products than did traditional paradigm assignments. Results also indicate that the elaborated case assignments generally produced better writing products than did the short case scenarios. However, results also suggest that the writing of participants who already possess business-related experience was not as affected by assignment type as the writing of inexperienced participants. Finally, qualitative measures suggest that the writing processes and attitudes of participants. completing the case assignments were highly sensitive to audience and context, whereas the processes and attitudes of participants completing the traditional assignments were highly sensitive to organization, format, and correctness.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
1995-01-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651995009001005
Open Access
Closed
Topics

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly

Cites in this index (12)

  1. College English
  2. Written Communication
  3. Written Communication
  4. Written Communication
  5. Research in the Teaching of English
Show all 12 →
  1. College Composition and Communication
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Research in the Teaching of English
  4. Research in the Teaching of English
  5. Research in the Teaching of English
  6. Written Communication
  7. Written Communication
Also cites 11 works outside this index ↓
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