Effects of Mind Map Supported Cognitive Preparation on Expository Writing

Written expression, due to the uncertainties and difficulties is a problem for an individual. The individual is expected to conduct cognitive preparation to overcome this problem. In present study written expression skill differentiations in students who are, prior to written expression performance, assisted cognitively via activities like brain storming, clustering and mind map have been analyzed. To that end randomly selected 64 freshmen students from Faculty of Education have composed the research sampling. In this research pre-test and post-test model centered experiment and control groups have been utilized. Data have been obtained from “Written Expression Evaluation Scale” developed by the researcher. In data analysis arithmetical means, standard deviation, Manova and t test technique have been used. It has been determined that experiment group students who, prior to written expression performance, conducted cognitive preparations via activities such as free writing, brain storming, clustering and mind map have created, in certain dimensions of the scale, better explanatory writing texts than the students in control group. Within the framework of obtained data, certain suggestions on mental preparation prior to written expression have been presented.