Source-based writing of the high- and low-proficiency adolescent writer in the high-school L2 classroom

Abstract

Writing from sources is a fundamental academic skill that poses a challenge for students at all educational levels. However, few studies have investigated source use in the high-school context. The current study examines the source-based writing of 43 adolescent writers in a high-school second-language (L2) classroom. Students were classified into high- (N = 25) and low-proficiency (N = 18) levels based on scores obtained on an integrated writing task. They then completed an additional integrated writing task. Essays were analysed for four variables: amount of source use, accuracy of source ideas, thoroughness of attribution to source authors, and language used to integrate source information. Correlation coefficients suggested a significant relationship between writing scores and certain source-use patterns. Independent samples t-tests revealed significant differences between the two proficiency groups for accuracy of source use, thoroughness of attribution to source authors, verbatim copying with no citation, and indirect source use with implicit citation. The findings suggest that although high-school L2 writers are ready to meet certain demands of source-based writing, they require support in source-use subskills. This has implications for the eventual creation of pedagogical interventions designed to guide novice writers at this educational level through the developmental process of achieving effective source-based writing.