Using Writing Circles as an Effective Peer Review Technique to Improve the Writing Skills of Accounting Students

• In Event: Teaching, Learning and Curriculum 5

Abstract

Employers expect accounting graduates to possess effective writing skills in addition to technical skills. Due to budget constraints, however, many universities lack adequate staff and writing tutors to help students improve their writing. This paper examines the effectiveness of an innovative peer review technique called writing circles as an alternative way to improve student writing.
Researchers administered the writing circles in two accounting information systems classes at a regional public university in the United States. Students were randomly assigned to one of two treatments – (1) tutoring at the learning center (LC) or (2) participating in a writing circle (WC). A pre-test and post-test group design examined the effects of the interventions on student writing scores over two semesters.
Researchers found WCs to be as effective as traditional tutoring at the learning center in developing writing skills and provided certain advantages over tutoring in this pilot study. Students participating in the WCs expressed more satisfaction with the overall experience than students going to the LCs.
As educators we want to utilize the most effective tools to help our students master their writing skills. In times of budget constraints where LC staff resources are limited, WCs provide an inexpensive technique that may develop the writing skills of accounting students. The simple-to-use methodology is included in this article for class use.

Authors

• Marsha M Huber, Youngstown State University

• Maria A Leach, University of Southern Mississippi

• Eunsuh Lee, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

• Shirine Mafi, Otterbein University