Journals / Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 22 Sayı: 2

Text Cohesion vs. Fine-Grained Indices of Syntactic Complexity in L2 Writing: Their Relations to Overall EFL Writing Scores

Yabancı Dil Yazımında Metin Bağlaşıklığı ve İnce Ayrıntılı Sözdizimsel Karmaşıklık İndeksleri: Genel Yazım Puanlarıyla İlişkileri

Zafer Susoy(TOKAT GAZİOSMANPAŞA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-6890-6007
Pages
477–493
Publication Date
2025-08-07
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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Furthermore, 50% of the variance in the overall writing quality scores of the learners was explained by the regression model only when text length (TL) and proficiency level were added as confounding variables.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:The purpose of this study is to determine how various cohesion indices (CI), as determined by the Tool for the Automatic Analysis of Cohesion (TAACO), and syntactic complexity indices, as determined by the Tool for the Automatic Analysis of Syntactic Sophistication and Complexity (TAASSC), relate to the writing quality evaluations of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners.
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Key Findings & Data:Furthermore, 50% of the variance in the overall writing quality scores of the learners was explained by the regression model only when text length (TL) and proficiency level were added as confounding variables.
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Conclusion & Impact:The study's findings are discussed in light of the related literature and future directions.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Bağlaşıklık · ikinci dil yazımı · metin uzunluğu

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine how various cohesion indices (CI), as determined by the Tool for the Automatic Analysis of Cohesion (TAACO), and syntactic complexity indices, as determined by the Tool for the Automatic Analysis of Syntactic Sophistication and Complexity (TAASSC), relate to the writing quality evaluations of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. This study employs a quantitative research methodology, using regression and correlation analysis to examine the collected learner corpus. Although there was no noticeable relationship between coherence devices and writing quality, syntactic complexity is a key differentiator between proficient and less proficient EFL writers. Metrics such as clause length, and use of complex nominals per clause contribute to a sophisticated writing style, signaling advanced linguistic capability. Furthermore, 50% of the variance in the overall writing quality scores of the learners was explained by the regression model only when text length (TL) and proficiency level were added as confounding variables. The study's findings are discussed in light of the related literature and future directions.

Özet

Bu çalışma, Metin Bağlaşıklığı Otomatik Analiz Aracı (TAACO) ile ölçülen çeşitli bağlaşıklık indeksleri ile Sözdizimsel Sofistike ve Karmaşıklık Otomatik Analiz Aracı (TAASSC) ile ölçülen sözdizimsel karmaşıklık indeksleri arasındaki ilişkiyi ve bunların Yabancı Dil Olarak İngilizce (EFL) öğrenenlerin yazma kalitesine etkisini araştırmaktadır. Nicel bir araştırma paradigmasını takip eden bu çalışma, derlenen öğrenci korpusunu korelasyon ve regresyon testleri yoluyla analiz etmiştir. Bağlaşıklık araçları ile yazma kalitesi arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunamazken, sözdizimsel karmaşıklık, ileri düzeydeki EFL yazarları ile daha az yetkin olanları ayırt etmek için kritik bir faktör olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Cümle uzunluğu ve cümle başına düşen karmaşık isim tamlamalarının kullanımı gibi metrikler, ileri düzey dil yetkinliğini işaret eden sofistike bir yazma tarzına katkıda bulunmaktadır. Ayrıca, öğrenci yazılarının genel yazma kalitesi puanlarındaki varyansın %50'si, yalnızca metin uzunluğu ve dil yeterlilik seviyesi bağımsız değişken olarak modele eklendiğinde regresyon modeli ile açıklanabilmiştir. Çalışmanın bulguları ilgili literatür ve gelecekteki araştırma yönelimleri çerçevesinde tartışılmaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Susoy, Z. (2025). Text Cohesion vs. Fine-Grained Indices of Syntactic Complexity in L2 Writing: Their Relations to Overall EFL Writing Scores. Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 22 Sayı: 2, 477–493. https://doi.org/10.33711/yyuefd.1599497

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