A critical review of research on linguistic and discourse analytic approach to second language writing assessment

This book chapter reviews existing research in second language (L2) writing assessment on the characteristics of written texts of L2 test-takers by adopting linguistic and discourse analytic approach. Past research has identified four major factors, which are able to affect features of written scripts at linguistic and discourse levels, including: (1) type of writing tasks; (2) test repetition; (3) writing proficiency; and (4) test-takers’ first language (L1) background. The chapter first will review the existing research in these four areas and it concludes by identifying the gaps in the research, which provide directions for future research