Modeling as a Step towards Success in Genre-based Writing
Keywords:
Genre- based instruction, models, writingAbstract
In the genre-based approach, models are of critical importance because they function as a learning tool that assists students to be familiar with genre specifics. The researchers outline design-based principles to develop a graduate-level writing course around (1) student input in the choice of models, (2) a variety of different types of models, (3) a variety of different types of noticing activities, (4) peer and instructor feedback with, and (5) statements of general goals and specific writing objectives with progress statements half-way through the course. Evidence from writing samples taken at the beginning and the end of the semester-long course showed that the aforementioned instructional principles positively impacted student writing (paragraph development and organization, paraphrasing and citing, mechanics and style). Taken together, the findings indicate that providing students with varying quality models draws students’ attention (noticing) to these features by making them salient through different model-based activities, and provides students a firm foundation in academic writing.
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