Pause Analysis Of L2 Writing Process Based On Keystroke Logging

Theoretical and technical developments render some help to the quantification of writing process research.This study is undertaken as an attempt to investigate the cognitive activities of L2 writers in the composing process with the backing of Inputlog 8.0 and Camtasia 8.0.Pause,as a window of looking into the research issues,provides key writing process information from minor clues.Based on Writing Cognitive Process Model Theory proposed by Hayes and Flower(1981),the thesis explores the distinctive pause features of the more and less proficient L2 writers in the writing process by constructing pause variables.Aside from regular pausological analysis,namely,description of general characteristics,the thesis encapsulates periodic characteristics by dividing the writing process into ten equal intervals.The general characteristics provide a detailed description of the overall state of writing,while interval characteristics show the dynamic alternation in the whole writing process.In addition,this study examines as to whether there are statistically significant relationships between the pause behaviors in different writing intervals and the quality of final written product.As a result,the research intends to analyze the achievement effects that pauses contribute to the writing task.In other words,more attention should be paid to online writing management to great extent which can improve the effects of writing achievements.The final exploratory implementation using retrospective interview investigates the pause reasons and possible writing problems of two types of L2 writers to gain a greater depth of understanding for the writing cognitive activities.More importantly,the statistical and subjective supports for research results are more convincing.More specifically,this thesis formulates a practical research design to deal with the issues proposed above.These research implementations are comprised of three parts: subjects-selection,writing test in the computer mode,and retrospective interview.The participants screened from writing task in pen & paper mode wereinvited to attend another writing test in computer mode.The writing task in the computer mode was recorded by Inputlog 8.0 and Camtasia 8.0.The recording data of pause analysis were extracted from Inputlog 8.0 in the main test,and screen recording videos from Camtasia 8.0 were used to help the participants recall the individual writing process in the retrospective interview.Statistical results confirm that there are significant differences between these two groups in some aspects.In terms of the general characteristics,the less proficient group has much more pauses than the more proficient one before/between the paragraphs.In regard to the interval characteristics,the writing process of the first group has a clear-cut writing stage division,but the other group shows an alternate writing trail.Moreover,pause frequency in the special interval(t9,revising,monitoring,etc.)has a positive correlation with the quality of final written product.Pause duration in eighth and tenth intervals shows a negative correlation with the writing grades.Noticeably,these two groups have different pause reasons in the cognitive factors.The former one produces more pauses in syntactical expressions,and the latter group in the supporting evidence,word spelling,etc.The less proficient writers are more sensitive to the external factors(socio-psychological and physical factors,such as fatigue and anxiety.)In a word,one basic purpose of this thesis is that we can locate the existing writing problems for the different proficient L2 writers.Another implication in the second language teaching and learning is that writing teachers should not only impart writing knowledge but also help students establish a positive writing outlook.