Progression analysis (PA): investigating writing strategies at the workplace

Progression analysis (PA) is a computer-based, multilevel method for research on writing in the workplace. PA focuses on the situational context of the writing process (macro level), the movement of writing throughout the growing text (meso level), and the writerʹs consciously applied revising strategies (micro level). In this article, the innovative procedures of PA are presented on the basis of a pedagogically motivated case study from a national research project. Interconnections of the writing situation, movements, and strategies with the text product are made clear. The comparison with 17 other case studies reveals a regularity: experienced writers align their writing strategies more closely to text function and process control than inexperienced writers do.