Fluency, Accuracy, Lexical Density and Complexity as a Quantitative Study to Analyze the Palestinian University Students’ Writing Capacity

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the writing competence at the university level in Palestine. Sixty-five essays of Palestinian university students were addressed concerning lexical density, complexity, accuracy and fluency. The descriptive statistical tools, especially means, standard deviations, and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient were used. Consequently, the study concluded that the students were short of some basic rules of accuracy, fluency, complexity, and lexical density. However, the correlation between complexity and fluency was significant. On the other hand, the relationship between accuracy and fluency was insignificant. The results showed that the writing skill at university level was unsatisfying. Thus, the researcher recommended improving complexity through having more activities, through reading longer reading, Facebook entries, and tweets, fiction, and general prose. In addition, lexical density can be promoted through encouraging the students to read Wikipedia, news articles; accuracy through in class and home practice and fluency through power writing. Ministry of Education and universities should prioritize witting as a must.