Synectics as a prewriting technique: Its effects on writing fluency and lexical complexity

Year 2017, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 325 - 347, 25.09.2017

Nalan Bayraktar Balkır , Ece Zehir Topkaya

https://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.461038

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effects of synectics as a prewriting technique on writing fluency and
lexical complexity in the written texts of 20 tertiary level Turkish EFL learners. To this end, a mixed
research design was adopted combining both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Repeated
measures design was employed to examine the differences in participants’ writing fluency and lexical
complexity over time, and to gain a deeper understanding of learners’ experiences, semi-structured
interviews were conducted. The learner-written texts were analyzed using VocabProfile (VP), an online
text analysis program, with respect to fluency and lexical complexity. Descriptive statistics, Friedman
test for repeated measures, and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test were carried out as data analysis
procedures. As for the analysis of the qualitative data, inductive content analysis was performed. The
findings revealed that the participants’ writing fluency increased significantly at the end of the program.
On the other hand, their lexical complexity remained the same during the study. In terms of the results
of the qualitative analysis, the participants had mostly positive perceptions about their synectics
experience in terms of vocabulary learning, improvement of writing skills, and attitudes to writing. 

Keywords

Attitudes to writing, lexical complexity, prewriting techniques, synectics, writing fluency

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