Choosing the write way to communicate: Exploring the uses and gratifications of writing consultation modalities

This qualitative study investigated the motivations and factors college students consider when selecting a medium for interpersonal communication in an academic setting. A convenience sample of college students was interviewed, and transcripts underwent reflexive thematic analysis. Participants reported fulfilling several needs through one-to-one communication with a consultant at the university’s writing center: informative/cognitive (to receive guidance), social/emotional (to feel encouraged or to socialize), and flexibility/convenience (to avoid commuting or to save time). Perceptions of media’s effectiveness were based on the medium’s richness, as face-to-face and videoconferencing apps afford clearer communication for complex discussions. Factors of media selectivity were also uncovered.