Writing Science Glossary
Key terms from cognitive psychology, writing studies, and composition research.
B
Behavioral Block
A type of writer's block caused by lacking the systems, routines, and environmental conditions that support regular writing. Characterized by difficulty starting rather than difficulty with the writing itself once begun.
C
Cognitive Block
A type of writer's block characterized by excessive self-monitoring, perfectionism, and an overactive inner critic. The writer's evaluation system interferes with their production system, preventing words from being written.
Cognitive Load
The total amount of mental effort being used in working memory. Writing involves high cognitive load because it requires simultaneous attention to content, structure, language, and mechanics.
Composition Block
A type of writer's block where ideas exist in the mind but won't translate into sentences. The writer knows what they want to say but cannot find the words to express it.
D
Drafting
The stage of writing focused on getting ideas down without concern for quality. Research suggests drafting should be kept separate from editing to reduce cognitive load and prevent cognitive block.
E
Executive Function
The set of cognitive processes that enable planning, focusing attention, remembering instructions, and juggling multiple tasks. Writing heavily relies on executive function, which is why it's so demanding.
F
Flow State
A mental state of complete absorption in an activity, characterized by energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment. In writing, flow often produces the most productive and satisfying sessions.
K
Keystroke Logging
A research method that records every keystroke, pause, and deletion during writing. Reveals actual writing behaviors that writers often don't notice or accurately report, such as revision patterns and pause durations.
M
Motivational Block
A type of writer's block where the writer has the ability to write but lacks the desire or drive. Often caused by unclear purpose, wrong project fit, or disconnection from why the writing matters.
P
Physiological Block
A type of writer's block caused by physical factors such as exhaustion, illness, stress, or hunger. The most common type, accounting for approximately 42% of writer's block cases in research studies.
Planning (in writing)
The cognitive process of generating ideas, setting goals, and organizing content before or during writing. Can occur before drafting (outlining) or recursively throughout the writing process.
R
Revision
The process of re-seeing and improving written text. Research distinguishes between surface-level revision (fixing typos) and deep revision (restructuring ideas). Effective revision typically requires multiple passes with different focuses.
S
Self-Monitoring
The process of evaluating one's own performance during a task. In writing, excessive self-monitoring during drafting can cause cognitive block by activating the critical voice too early in the process.
T
Translating (in writing)
The cognitive process of converting ideas and plans into actual written language. One of the most cognitively demanding aspects of writing because it requires simultaneous attention to meaning, syntax, and mechanics.
W
Working Memory
The cognitive system that temporarily holds and manipulates information needed for complex tasks. Writing heavily taxes working memory, which has limited capacity. Overloading working memory is a major cause of writing difficulty.
Writer's Block
An umbrella term for the inability to produce written work. Research identifies at least five distinct types: physiological, motivational, cognitive, behavioral, and composition blocks, each with different causes and solutions.