Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2000
Thesis Director
Mary Ellen Varble
Abstract
The purposes of this study were: 1) to evaluate the quality of writing in first, second, and third graders who were given a writing prompt, 2) to evaluate the quality of writing in first, second, and third graders who self-selected their own writing topic, and 3) to determine if there were any differences in the quality of writing between the two groups.
The researcher was the instructor for all the students who participated in the study. Included in the study were first, second, and third grade students who were present on the day the researcher visited. Approximately half of the students wrote on a given prompt, while the remaining students wrote on a self-selected topic. Prior to writing, students and teachers were asked to complete a brief survey about writing.
The writing samples were rated on four different criteria: paper's focus, grammar, sentence structure, and capitalization and punctuation. Three raters individually rated each piece of writing and the results were compiled. Raters received instruction from the researcher prior to reading the samples.
The following conclusions were based on the findings of the study:
1. There is a difference in the quality of writing samples, in the area of the paper's focus, between giving a student a writing prompt and allowing a student to self-select a topic.
2. There is no significant difference in the quality of writing samples, in the area of grammar, between giving a student a writing prompt and allowing a student to self-select a topic.
3. There is no significant difference in the quality of writing samples, in the area of sentence structure, between giving a student a writing prompt and allowing a student to self-select a topic.
4. There is a difference in the quality of writing samples, in the area of capitalization and punctuation, between giving a student a writing prompt and allowing a student to self-select a topic.
Recommended Citation
Hall, Julie Ann, "Self-Selection vs. Writing Prompts: A Study to Examine the Effects Topics Have on Elementary Students' Writing" (2000). Masters Theses. 1618.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/1618
