Towards defining digital writing quality

Abstract

This chapter provides a description of current views towards writing quality and promotes a move toward a definition of digital writing quality. We argue that, because new digital affordances have changed how writing is learned, taught and delivered, the nature of written products has become increasingly multi-dimensional and interactive. Traditional perspectives toward writing quality offer a foundation for understanding the textual features that are essential to defining digital writing quality, but these views largely disregard non-textual and non-linguistic abilities needed to effectively communicate in digital spaces. We thus address contemporary realia to stimulate discussion about how to consolidate various domains of knowledge for defining digital writing quality. Aligning contemporary writing demands to form a comprehensive definition of digital writing quality can help transform the design and development of future writing technologies and curriculum for an increasingly technology-adept learning audience.