Formal Genre-Specific Knowledge as a Resource-Dispersing Feature of Task Complexity
Recent second language (L2) writing research informed by task-based theories of second language acquisition has enthusiastically adopted task complexity frameworks to describe the specific cognitive demands of a given writing task and the effect of those cognitive demands on written L2 production. H...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Languages |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/8/1/64 |
| _version_ | 1797610642504417280 |
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| author | Mark D. Johnson |
| author_facet | Mark D. Johnson |
| author_sort | Mark D. Johnson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recent second language (L2) writing research informed by task-based theories of second language acquisition has enthusiastically adopted task complexity frameworks to describe the specific cognitive demands of a given writing task and the effect of those cognitive demands on written L2 production. However, missing from many studies on the effects of task complexity on L2 written production is a discussion of genre as a potential source of task complexity. This paper examines the potential of genre as a resource-dispersing form of task complexity that is unique to writing. The article summarizes the predictions of task-based theories of second language acquisition particularly the predictions of the Cognition Hypothesis and its intersection with Kellogg’s widely-cited model of working memory in writing. It then argues that formal genre-specific knowledge constitutes a resource-dispersing form of task complexity that is distinct from general L2 proficiency and general writing proficiency. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:18:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3fefcf90992d4e5f8e7276dad934e947 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2226-471X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:18:04Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Languages |
| spelling | doaj.art-3fefcf90992d4e5f8e7276dad934e9472023-11-17T12:09:22ZengMDPI AGLanguages2226-471X2023-02-01816410.3390/languages8010064Formal Genre-Specific Knowledge as a Resource-Dispersing Feature of Task ComplexityMark D. Johnson0Department of English, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USARecent second language (L2) writing research informed by task-based theories of second language acquisition has enthusiastically adopted task complexity frameworks to describe the specific cognitive demands of a given writing task and the effect of those cognitive demands on written L2 production. However, missing from many studies on the effects of task complexity on L2 written production is a discussion of genre as a potential source of task complexity. This paper examines the potential of genre as a resource-dispersing form of task complexity that is unique to writing. The article summarizes the predictions of task-based theories of second language acquisition particularly the predictions of the Cognition Hypothesis and its intersection with Kellogg’s widely-cited model of working memory in writing. It then argues that formal genre-specific knowledge constitutes a resource-dispersing form of task complexity that is distinct from general L2 proficiency and general writing proficiency.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/8/1/64cognitive task complexitygenre-specific knowledgeL2 writinggenreCALF |
| spellingShingle | Mark D. Johnson Formal Genre-Specific Knowledge as a Resource-Dispersing Feature of Task Complexity Languages cognitive task complexity genre-specific knowledge L2 writing genre CALF |
| title | Formal Genre-Specific Knowledge as a Resource-Dispersing Feature of Task Complexity |
| title_full | Formal Genre-Specific Knowledge as a Resource-Dispersing Feature of Task Complexity |
| title_fullStr | Formal Genre-Specific Knowledge as a Resource-Dispersing Feature of Task Complexity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Formal Genre-Specific Knowledge as a Resource-Dispersing Feature of Task Complexity |
| title_short | Formal Genre-Specific Knowledge as a Resource-Dispersing Feature of Task Complexity |
| title_sort | formal genre specific knowledge as a resource dispersing feature of task complexity |
| topic | cognitive task complexity genre-specific knowledge L2 writing genre CALF |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/8/1/64 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT markdjohnson formalgenrespecificknowledgeasaresourcedispersingfeatureoftaskcomplexity |