The Use of Short Stories in Teaching Writing Strategies in ESL Classrooms

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic review on related past studies on using short stories in teaching writing strategies. In total, 17 studies range from 2012 to 2022. This review aims to answer two research questions; a) How effective are short stories in the teaching of writing strategies? and b) What writing strategies should ESL students employ to enhance their writing? Findings indicated that using short stories is beneficial in language teaching and learning. Besides, it also encourages critical thinking skills among students. When short stories are used in an ESL classroom also, students' creative writing skills are enhanced. They are also able to develop their imaginations, thoughts, ideas and opinions as well as their literature and cultural knowledge. It could also be seen that the attitudes and the learning motivation changed and heightened positively from session to session of learning activities when short stories are integrated. Results also revealed that genre-based approach and process approach are predominant in teaching writing in the ten articles identified. On top of that, metacognitive strategies are also deemed to be no less of importance.