What makes a skilled writer? Working memory and audience awareness during text composition

This study investigated the role of working memory capacity as a factor for individual differences in the ability to compose a text with communicative efficiency based on audience awareness. We analyzed its differential effects on the dynamics of the writing processes, as well as on the content of the finished product. Twenty-five graduate students composed a procedural text explaining how to assemble a model turbine. They were free to consult a documentary source, featuring captioned pictures of turbine parts and assembly steps, at any time. Graphomotor and eye movements were recorded using ‘Eye and Pen’ software with an eye-tracker and digitizing tablet. Results showed that high WM capacity writers used a different strategy to explore the visual source, making longer writing pauses and producing more detailed procedures, and achieved the communicative goal more efficiently, by introducing more reader supports. In conclusion, we discuss the feasibility of audience awareness training.

Research highlights
► We studied the role of working memory in the ability to write with audience awareness.
► The dynamics of processing and the insertion of reader supports were assessed.
► Graphomotor and eye movements were recorded using ‘Eye and Pen’ software.
► High WM capacity writers make longer pauses but communicate more efficiently.
► WM capacity is responsible for maintaining audience awareness during text writing.