A survey of ASC Consultants reveals that the following (in no particular order) are the most common problems in our clients' writing:
- Thesis/focus. Writers generally tell all they know about a topic.
- Organization. Keeping each paragraph focused on a separate idea is difficult.
- Purpose. Writers generally cannot identify a reason for writing.
- Audience. Little or no attention is given to audience because the teacher is seen as the only audience.
- Revising. A first draft is usually considered a final draft.
- Assignment. Writers have difficulty understanding the requirements of the assignment.
- Development. Ideas are generally underdeveloped.
- Documentation. Writers are confused about or unaware of the type of documentation style to use.
- Conclusions. Conclusions are generally foregone.
- Conventions. Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage errors are prevalent especially when writers are unclear about the assignment.