1

Appendix B

What is Your Writing Process?

Name:
The result will not affect your grade for this course. Please give your immediate reactions to
each of the following items.
Questions below are asking you about the different stages of writing in English: before
writing, while writing, and when revising. Please read each statement and circle the number
indicating how true of you the statement is.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Never or almost never true

Usually not true (less than half of the time)
Somewhat true (about half of the time)
Usually true (more than half of the time)
Always or almost always true

1. Before I start writing an essay in English

Please circle the appropriate number.
Never
true
1

Usually
not true
2

Somew
hat true
3

Usually
true
4

Always
true
5

I start writing without having a written or mental plan.

I think about what I want to write and have a plan in

my mind, but not on paper.
I note down words and short notes related to the topic.

I write an outline of my paper.

I write notes or an outline in my native language.

Before I start writing an essay in English

2. When writing in English

Please circle the appropriate number.
When writing in English

Never
true
1

Usually
not true
2

Somew
hat true
3

Usually
true
4

Always
true
5

I start with the introduction.

I stop after each sentence to read it again.

I stop after a few sentences or a whole paragraph,

covering one idea.
I reread what I have written to get ideas how to
continue.
I write bits of the text in my native language and then
translate them into English.
I simplify what I want to write if I do not know how to
express my thoughts in English.
If I do not know a word in English, I find a similar
English word that I know.
If I do not know a word in English, I stop writing and
look up the word in the dictionary.

Never
true
1

Usually
not true
2

Somew
hat true
3

Usually
true
4

Always
true
5

I read my text aloud.

I only read what I have written when I have finished

the whole paper.
When I have finished my paper, I hand it in without
reading it.
I check if my essay matches the requirements.

I set the text aside for a couple of days and then I can
see it from a new point of view.
I show my text to somebody and ask for his/her
opinion.
After I receive feedback from the teacher, I check my
mistakes and try to learn from them.

3. When revising
Please circle the appropriate number.
When revising

Thank you for your time!

Developed from Petri, B., & Czrl, B. (2003). Validating a Writing Strategy Questionnaire. System 31, 187215.