The Influence of Writing Constraints on the Accuracy of Written Production among EFL learners
الملخص
This study examines the influence of writing constraints—such as limited time, word count, and task-specific instructions—on the accuracy of written production among sophomore students at the University of Tobruk. Writing constraints are widely used in language classrooms to simulate real-world writing scenarios, but their impact on learners’ ability to produce accurate written language remains underexplored. Despite the importance of this topic, few studies have investigated how such constraints affect the grammatical, lexical, and mechanical accuracy of EFL learners’ writing. This research aims to fill that gap by examining the effects of different constraints on the quality of student writing.
The study involved 40 intermediate-level sophomore students majoring in English. They were divided into a control group (writing without constraints) and an experimental group (writing under time limits, word count, and task-specific instructions). A quantitative approach was employed using error analysis and an independent samples t-test to assess writing accuracy. Data were collected through timed and untimed writing tasks. The findings showed that students writing under unconstrained conditions produced more accurate writing, particularly in terms of lexical and overall accuracy. Grammatical and mechanical accuracy appeared more stable and less affected by constraints.
These results underscore the importance of task design in writing instruction. Constraints such as time pressure and word count can negatively affect writing quality, especially for less proficient learners who may lack the cognitive resources to maintain accuracy. Educators are advised to balance structured writing tasks with opportunities for free expression to support learner development.
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