Planning Time and Writing Quality in Expository Writing

This study investigated the effect of planning time on the writing quality of EFL learners’ expository writing. 60 EFL learners were randomly assigned to three groups with different planning conditions and were asked to write an essay. All the 60 essays were rated carefully. Results revealed that planners considerably outperformed non-planners in writing quality. It was concluded that Iranian EFL learners’ performance was significantly affected by planning time. The findings of this study broaden the understanding of second language learners’ writing process involving planning and that planning can help learners organize their written discourse leading to a better performance.