Ideal language use vs. writing in practice

(project finished)
This study examined the extent to which participants in a writing course were able to apply their acquired skills in everyday work. To that end, a questionnaire was drawn up to discover which course elements were easy to put into practice. The questionnaire was sent electronically to respondents in the spring of 2007, yielding 176 replies from 31 different organisations, mainly government agencies.

The respondents claimed that they were able to use most things they had learned during the writing courses. Correct use of language (94%) and instructions on grammar and finalising texts (92%) were among the most readily applicable elements. The lowest score (72%) was given to word choice. Use of standard forms which do not allow changes was cited as the most common reason (23 %) for being unable to apply the new writing skills. Another was haste (22%).  

Both haste and use of standard forms point to the same phenomenon: texts must be produced and written quickly and in ever increasing amounts. The responses show that the drive for greater efficiency accounts for almost 50% of perceived textual problems. It would therefore be safe to conclude that training in writing skills is necessary, but not sufficient. If the aim is to improve the quality of texts, the conditions in which writing is performed must also improve.