Why can't Nancie and Jane get along? An exploratory study on synergizing narrative and expository instructional writing approaches
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Authors
McTaggart, Jill
Issue Date
2007
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Teaching
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a synergized writing program that incorporated both expository and narrative writing approaches. The goal being that the result would give the teacher-researcher a practical and useful writing program for eighth grade Language Arts. The primary problem was that the teacher-researcher was in her first year and knew how to assign writing, but not how to teach writing. After reviewing the literature, a narrative writing program based on the research of Atwell (1987) and an expository writing program based on the program by Schaffer (2006) were implemented. Using input from students and what were the best of both programs, a third Synergized Program was designed. The entire class was instructed under each of the three approaches and respective writing assignments were graded. For the purposes of this study, 5 students were purposely selected (ranging in skill level) and their writing samples were assessed by 3 outside reviewers against the same 4 point rubric as the other programs. The data analyzed from the students' scores did not express the success of the students' learning as much as their own comments did. Students shared that the most important aspects to the three programs taught were the ability to choose their own writing application and ample time to work within their own writing process. This study contributed to the finding that student choice is an important motivator during each student's unique and personal writing process.