The effect of topic interest and choice in second language journal writing

Authors

  • John Eidswick Kyoto Sangyo University Author
  • Mayumi Asaba Kwansei Gakuin University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/wap.32756

Keywords:

interest, choice, motivation, Educational Psychology

Abstract

This study investigates the influences of interest and choice on the production of second language (L2) journal entries by first-year students (N = 88, 55 female, 33 male) at a university in western Japan. Between treatment groups and a neutral group, several aspects of writing were examined: total words, words per sentence, grammatical accuracy, and lexical sophistication (K1, K2, and AWL words). Further enquiry into students' preferred choice conditions was conducted with a post-treatment questionnaire. The results suggest that the provision of choice and interestingness of a topic affect some of the variables but not others. Pedagogical implications and suggested future research are discussed.

Author Biographies

  • John Eidswick, Kyoto Sangyo University
    John Eidswick is Associate Professor at the Institute of General Education, Kyoto Sangyo University, Japan.
  • Mayumi Asaba, Kwansei Gakuin University

    Mayumi Asaba is Assistant Professor at the School of International Studies, Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan.

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Published

2018-09-24

Issue

Section

Research Matters

How to Cite

Eidswick, J., & Asaba, M. (2018). The effect of topic interest and choice in second language journal writing. Writing and Pedagogy, 10(1-2), 161-190. https://doi.org/10.1558/wap.32756