Validating Content of Sentence Variety Checklist for ESL Writing

Abstract

Sentence variety is a fundamental aspect in writing to avoid stereotypes, thus makes writing more interesting. It is taken more seriously when it comes to assessment (based on the IELTS Writing Band Descriptors), compared to teaching. Students seem to be reluctant to learn more about it, and teachers are reluctant to teach (Saddler, 2007). With the intervention of sentence variety checklist (SVC) to promote sentence variety, this study investigates the validity of items in the SVC adapted from Langan (1993) to be justified prior to its use in the ESL writing classroom. Five ESL teachers who are the writing experts and have been teaching writing for more than 15 years in a public university in Malaysia responded to the questionnaire of 14 items rephrased from the items in the checklist and one open-ended question for further suggestions. The data were analysed by computing Content Validity Index (CVI) using ratings of content item relevance by the writing experts. The results reveal that out of 14 items, 12 items are rated as highly relevant while the other two are still relevant. In addition, passive voice is another item suggested to be included in the checklist in the efforts to boost students? writing performance.