Processes Involved in Chinese and English Writing: A Study of Chinese University Students

The present study examined the writing processes of 20 L1 writers and 20 L2 writers on a course task of writing a narrative in a Chinese university naturalistic setting, as well as the challenges they encountered and their coping strategies during the processes. Analyses of the data collected via questionnaire, journal and semistructured interviews revealed that (1) both L1 and L2 writing processes were nonlinear and cyclical, involving a constant interplay of thinking, writing, and revising throughout the process, (2) though having a lot in common, the two groups differed in many aspects regarding the foci of concern during the process of writing the narrative, (3) both groups encountered common challenges as well as those peculiar of their own writing during the composing process, and (4) both groups were resourceful learners. Based on these findings, some suggestions are discussed.