Investigating the relationships of writing behaviours to linguistic complexity and accuracy in independent and integrated writing task performance

Xiaojun Lu, Andrea Révész, Marije Michel, Nektaria Kourtali, Minjin Lee, Lais Borges

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this study, we examined the extent to which fluency, pausing, and eye-gaze behaviours relate to linguistic complexity and accuracy in L2 independent and integrated writing task performance. Sixty Chinese L2 users of English performed two independent and two integrated TOEFL iBT tasks over two sessions. Their keystrokes and eye movements during task performance were captured. The written outputs were analysed in terms of linguistic complexity and accuracy. Linear mixed effects regression analyses revealed stronger relationships of fluency and pausing behaviours to linguistic complexity and accuracy for independent than integrated writing, while stronger relationships of eye-gaze behaviours to linguistic complexity and accuracy were identified for integrated than independent writing. In addition, we found that greater accuracy in writing was linked to shorter pause duration between words for independent writing and shorter forward saccades for integrated writing, writing behaviours associated with more automated linguistic encoding processes.

Original languageEnglish
JournalApplied Linguistics Review
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • accuracy
  • eye movement
  • fluency
  • linguistic complexity
  • pausing
  • second language writing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Language and Linguistics
  • Linguistics and Language

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