Affective Problems In Writing
James Nehiley
John Sutherland
This study sought to determine if tests were available that would allow professors and instructors of College Writing to identify students with differing personality types and attitudes about writing. These tests, if effective, would allow teachers to
(1) customize writing assignments to the writing problems or abilities of the students,
(2) minimize individual preconceptions and predispositions and
(3) maximize their writing performance.
Two hundred fifty-four writing students attending the University of Florida's College of Agriculture were tested using the Kiersey-Bates Personality test, the Mass Communication Writing Anxiety Measure (MCWAM) and a test designed to locate students who block at various stages during composition.
The results showed that students who had different personality types and attitudes toward writing could be identified so that writing situations and assignments could be specifically devised to offset or capitalize on these tendencies.
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