Psychology, Writing and Computers: A Review of Research

Abstract

My aim in this paper is to provide a brief review of some of the main issues covered in research on writing and to indicate where this research may be found. For convenience of presentation the paper is divided into four overlapping sections: 1) the nature of writing; 2) learning to write; 3) computers and writing; and 4) evaluating written products. A fifth topic, the users of writing, is covered in more detail by Freedman et al (1987), and readers who are particularly interested in social aspects of writing, and how cultures and activities are shaped by, and have been shaped by writing, are especially referred to this paper. Other review papers on more specific topics have been provided by Applebee, 1984; Chandler, 1991; Cochran-Smith, 1991; Durst and Newell, 1989; Fitzgerald, 1987; Freedman et al, 1987; Hayes and Flower, 1986; Humes, 1983; and Huot, 1990. There are, in addition, many books and book chapters on writing, and several of these will be referred to in this review.