Writer Motivation: Beyond the Intrinsic/ Extrinsic Dichotomy

Abstract

Perhaps two of the most frustrating questions for writing teachers to hear are "So what do I have to do to get an 'A' on this paper?" and "Can't you just tell me what you want?" As frustrating as these questions are, they are valid ques tions for students who lack intrinsic motivation when attempting to complete the assignments we give them. Yet so often these questions seem to be invalid ques tions because they miss more important elements of education in composition classrooms: to be immersed in writing tasks which teach students about them selves and the ....