Word processing and writing: effects of the Macintosh on the drafting and revising of technical writing assignments

A study is described in which technical writing students completed two in-class writing assignments, one on the Macintosh and one using pen and paper. Results indicate that they produced longer papers and that they made more format revisions on the Macintosh. Although the students believe that they write better using the Macintosh, the study suggests that the Macintosh itself did not significantly improve the quality of their writing