Promoting Self-Efficacy in Writing: A Middle School Narrative Writing Unit

Item

Title
Promoting Self-Efficacy in Writing: A Middle School Narrative Writing Unit
Creator
Mary Katelyn Lowman
Degree Name
Master of Science in Education: Curriculum and Instruction
Project Type
Professional Project
Date
6/17/2023
Abstract
Students who demonstrate self-efficacy in writing are more likely to persevere through challenging writing assignments, revise and edit their work, and set writing goals. They are motivated to learn and improve. Students who lack self-efficacy in writing lack these intrinsic skills. When assigned a writing piece, they often complain or simply stare blankly at their papers, unsure of how to even begin. These students’ issues do not stem solely from a fear of poor grades in writing but rather from a number of practical writing deficiencies: difficulties organizing thoughts, hand cramps while writing, or difficulties envisioning the audience. These issues, and many more, can often lead to procrastination, stress, and writer's block. Writing anxiety and apprehension are particularly prevalent in Emergent Bilingual learners because they may lack both writing and linguistic skills to confidently complete a writing task. This writing unit aims to address these issues by having students complete short writing assignments, targeting narrative writing skills, culminating in a final fictional narrative, building in peer feedback, revision, and reflection. The unit uses the process-genre approach to teaching writing as the framework and includes explicit strategy instruction to build students’ writing confidence.
Committee Member
Joshua Schulze
Valerie Brooks
Julia Drizin
Rights
Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 10/03/2023, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author by contacting the WOU Library.
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Language
eng
Type
Text
Image;StillImage