Aphasia and the process of revision in writing a text

Abstract

Most of the previous research on aphasia and writing ability concentrates on the production of words in isolation. The purpose of the current study was to examine the process of producing written texts by clients with aphasia. By using keystroke logging, it was possible to analyse the participants' ongoing work during text writing. Results showed that the participants with aphasia composed their texts in what may be described as a linear way. Edits concerning syntax or text structure were almost absent in the subjects' data, but they spent much time and effort on revising smaller units of text, that is, letters and words, possibly as a result of changing their minds or not being able to realize their intentions. However, these changes did not always result in correctly written words in the final text. The findings are discussed in relation to current writing theories.

• aphasia
• writing process
• writing difficulties
• text production
• revision
• keystroke logging

Notes

1. This study was part of the research programme “Reading and writing strategies of disabled groups” (Strömquist & Ahlsén, 1998).

2. To make a complete analysis of the edits, an additional Scriptlog file was used.