An approximation to the study of backtracking in L2 writing

This article presents the findings of a small-scale study which analyses backtracking behaviour by intermediate Spanish learners of English when writing an argumentative and a narrative essay in their L2 while thinking aloud. The aims of the study were to ascertain what types of backtracking are used by L2 learners, and to analyse the influence of a number of variables on this use. Results indicate that our subjects rescan their texts, written outlines and assignment wording by using their whole linguistic spectrum (L1 and L2), although inter-subject differences are observed. Variation across subjects seems to be more dependent on the writerʹs approach to task completion than to the text modality itself. These results are discussed in the light of findings from process-oriented research on L2 composing and questions for a future research agenda are suggested.