Correlations Between Expressing Feelings, Conveying Thoughts, and Gaining Confidence when Writing Personal Narratives in One’s First and Second Language

Abstract

This article aims to identify if writing personal narratives in one’s first and second language help in expressing feelings, conveying thoughts, and gaining confidence in writing. This study reflects a meaningful literacy approach focused on the individual language learner at the center of the learning process to facilitate writing development. Data came from current and former English majors who have taken creative writing courses. Participants were from private and public universities and a professional group on Facebook (N = 34). Data were collected through an online survey. Research questions were tested with statistical measures of correlations. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were used to check whether the data were normally distributed. Then, the Spearman rho test was used to check for correlations and covariance because the data were not normally distributed. Results revealed a correlation between expressing feelings, conveying thoughts, and gaining confidence when writing personal narratives in one’s first and second language. The findings can be applied in writing classrooms by integrating writing personal narratives to help students express feelings, convey thoughts, and gain confidence in writing. It is important for educators to understand how personal narrative writing supports students’ learning process in writing classes and beyond.