This study attempted to determine student perceptions of the value of using a
prewriting problem-solving plan and its relationship to their success in writ
ing. The business communication students in the study felt that the plan was
beneficial, particularly for persuasive messages, individual writing, and small-
group writing. In addition, participants seemed to feel that the plan was worth
preparing even when not required as part of the assignment. The results sug
gest that the problern-solving plan can be a useful tool for complicated assign
ments and group work but that it should probably be optional for simple
assignments.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Flower, L. (1989). Rhetorical problem solving: Cognition and professional writing. In M. Kogen (Ed.), Writing in the business professions (pp. 3-36). Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English and the Association for Business Communication.
2.
Mulcahy, K.F. (1993). Research on written composition: Implications for business communication. Bulletin of the Association for Business Communication, 56(1), 22-25.
3.
Ruggiero, V.R. (1986, March). Teaching thinking skills and ethics in business communication. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Conference on College Composition and Communication , New Orleans, LA. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service ED No. 269 821.)
