I really hate to keep coming back to this, especially since I'll be off-list
till Friday, but I still think it needs to be said.
Before starting any group project (which I do think might be a great idea), I'd
suggest you read the work that's already been done on this topic. The main
work is that of George Jensen and John DiTiberio, though others have also done
some fine work on how personality affects writing process.
Without going into tedious detail, the discussion here clearly supports that
personality has an impact on process. The process most of us teach because
it's the accepted theory is a process which works very well for a particular
personality type--interestingly a personality type which seems to be very well
represented in comp circles. Unfortunately, that same process is not as
effective for other groups--like some of the chemical engineers and bank
examiners I've worked with. In addition, some of us are different from our
colleagues and thus benefit from a different process.
I, obviously, *do* think this is most interesting and worthy of much study.
However, I do also bristle when people tend to ignore or disparage some of the
good work that's already been done in the area.
Barry Maid
bmmaid@ualr.edu