An Experimental Study of First Grade Theme Writing

Mode of discourse is one of several variables of obvious importance in research on composition writing. Braddock, Lloyd-Jones, and Schoer (1963, pp. 8-9) list, in addition to writer variables, the important composition variables of topic, mode of discourse, time afforded for writing, and the examination situation. They specify that mode of discourse includes narration, description, exposition, argument, and criticism. They also point out that mode of discourse has been largely ignored by composition researchers, in spite of the fact that it has more effect than variations in topic on the quality of writing. Kincaid (1953), for instance, found mode of discourse, argumentative or expository, to be a significant factor in college freshman themes, particularly for the relatively inferior student. Also, Seegers (1933) had earlier shown an effect of mode of discourse on sentence structure. Seeger's study involved argument, exposition, narration, and description. Descriptive and argumentative modes of discourse appear to be most common, but these modes have not been studied at the first