Writing Self-Efficacy

According to Deanna DeBrine Mascle, in her article "Writing Self-Efficacy and

Written Communication Skills" instruction plays only a minor role in easing writing anxiety. However, self-efficacy is the biggest component to ease writing apprehension and mature proficiency.

Students enter college with weaker writing skills. Business communication classes struggle with writing as they are unable to translate old skills into a new context. The task of teaching college students how to write doesn 't just lie with English teachers, but with every instructor inside a communication discipline. All these factors combined may make many students feel uncomfortable writing, even some will want to avoid it altogether. This is termed writing apprehension. Mascle suggests, "Therefore, the writer with high writing confidence is more likely to do what is necessary to properly perform the

Comparing your work with others, improves your product and helps shape your style. Compliments about your writing help build confidence, but only to a certain degree. Content needs to be the focus of writing instruction, rather than just being correct.

Your mood affects how you perceive writing. If stressed at the beginning, generally, it will only increase as you continue to write. Instructors need to recognize writer apprehension and, in turn, focus on individual writer 's strengths.

The more control a writer is given, the more likely they are to engage fully, providing them a greater opportunity to grow. Mascle implores "Instead of direct instruction, teachers must manage classroom experiences that foster the types of conversations and activities that writers engage in, such as reflecting on their work and setting their goals." Overall the devolvement of a student is not placed on the instructor but rather on the willingness of the student to engage and work toward being a more confident