Emotions and the Writing Process: A Description of Apprentice Writers

Abstract

This study is a first systematic investigation of the emotions involved in the writing process. Eightyseven novice writers completed a short, paper-and-pencil inventory that asked them to indicate how they felt before and after self-sponsored and required writing exercises. Analyses investigated (a) the change in emotions during writing and (b) some predictors of emotional intensity and change. Results indicate that Positive emotions increased significantly during writing and Negative Passive feelings weakened. Skilled writers experienced more Positive emotional change during writing and generally less Negative Passive feelings than their unskilled counterparts. All student writers, regardless of skill, experienced more Negative Active feelings when writing on their own than when engaged in required school writing.

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