Integrating reading-to-write strategies and pairing composition and reading courses for first-year, at-risk college students

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of employing reading-to-write strategies and joining college composition and reading courses for provisionally admitted, firstyear- writing students in the United States. The article discusses a mixed methods study of an experimental course-design model involving 47 students in the experimental group, 47 students in the control group, and five teachers, which aimed to improve students' reading-to-write strategies. For the curricular initiative, an experimental group of provisionally admitted students studied reading-to-write practices and took Composition I and Reading I as 16-week, linked courses. Meanwhile, the control group also enrolled in Composition I and Reading I courses, but they were unconnected. Both groups were given a pre-test and posttest measuring students' reading levels, as well as their being assessed on a literature review essay they completed for Composition I. Additionally, experimental students were surveyed and instructors were interviewed about students' attitudes toward the reading-to-write practices and linked class design. Concentrating on Composition I, this article portrays the experimental linked courses' framework and its assessment practices, including a measurement of the reading-to-write outcomes for the literature review. Summarily, according to both the quantitative and qualitative data gathered, in cooperation with Reading I instructors, Composition I teachers utilizing reading-to-write approaches presented students with a cohesive, relevant curriculum. They also assisted students in reading, thinking critically, and writing and revising at a higher and sufficiently necessary level, including for the literature review, with all being important firstyear composition outcomes.