Effects of topic familiarity on L2 writing processes and behaviors

Abstract The present study aims to investigate how topic familiarity influences the writing processes and behaviors of 57 Chinese English as a foreign language learners. The quantitative keystroke logging data sketched out participants’ general writing processes and behaviors. Additionally, two focal writers from different writing tasks were interviewed using a post‐task stimulated recall method, and the qualitative data from their comments together with their writing process graphs supported by Inputlog8.0 were analyzed to complement the quantitative results. Results showed that writing on a less familiar topic resulted in longer planning time, shorter texts, slower writing pace, and less revision compared to writing on a more familiar topic. Data analysis confirmed the role of topic familiarity in determining the allocation of time among L2 writing sub‐processes and patterns of L2 writers’ writing behaviors.