DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2012.18.08.3773 An Investigation Into Writing Strategies of Iranian EFL Undergraduate Learners (original) (raw)

Abstract: This study adopted the cognitive process of writing to investigate the composing strategies of Iranian EFL undergraduate learners. Specifically, the study aimed to address the following research questions: (1) What writing strategies do Iranian EFL writers with different writing ability employ while composing? (2) Are there any differences between the writing strategies used by good EFL learners to those used by the poor ones? Think aloud protocols, post writing interviews, written products and stimulated recalls were collected from three skilled and three less skilled EFL writers while completing an argumentative task. Analysis of the data revealed that, despite employing the strategies in combination and in a recursive fashion by both groups, two groups of writers were found to be different in their planning, drafting and reviewing. Specifically, good and poor writers were found to be different in employing certain strategies like rereading, repetition, L1 use and rehear...