Preferences for forms of written composition as reported by seventh and eighth grade students in selected Oklahoma schools.

Abstract

Findings showed that both seventh and eighth grade girls reported letters to friends as a first choice (38.19%) and fictional short stories as second (17.36%). Seventh and eighth grade boys reported fictional short stories as first (37.59%) and letters to friends as second (19.15%). Overall, letters to friends accounted for 30.26% of the total responding and fictional short stories as 25% of the total. All grade Levels and sexes showed over 50% as matching the first choice of form when given the choice of a form to actually write.

Background information is given on what was found in regard to teaching composition and writing interests of seventh and eighth graders. Recommendations for the middle school teacher of composition are given at the end of the study.

A total of 532 seventh and eighth grade boys and girls responded to the survey by ranking 13 forms of composition. (Newspaper articles, unrhymed poetry, rhymed poetry, paragraphs, plays, fictional short stories, nonfiction short stories, diaries/journals, research reports, letters to friends, letters to businesses, essays with topic assigned, and essay with free choice of topic.) Students were also asked to spend 20 minutes writing in any form of their choice and on any topic. Actual writing quality was not assessed but was checked to see if the form corresponded to that form ranked as number one or two by the student. Total counts and percentages for responses were recorded based on grade level, sex, and grade point average.

This study consisted of a descriptive survey on the preferences for forms of written composition among seventh and eighth graders in selected Oklahoma schools. The findings extended the information found in the National Assessment of Educational Progress and reported by Hogan (May, 1980). Hogan stated that even though there was a decline in the writing interests of students in grades six through eight there was an unusual interest in letter writing.