“A simplistic view of writing would assume that written language is simply the graphic
representation of spoken language…” (Brown, 2001:335). Writing is more complex
than this; hence writing pedagogy is important, as Brown states by claiming that writing
is “as different from speaking as swimming is from walking” (2001:335).
This is supported and developed by Hedge, who states that writing is more than
producing accurate and complete sentences and phrases. She states that writing is about
guiding students to: “produce whole pieces of communication, to link and develop
information, ideas, or arguments for a particular reader or a group of readers…”
(2005:10). Therefore effective writing requires several things: a high degree of
organization regarding the development and structuring of ideas, information and
arguments. Furthermore, Hedge mentions features such as: a high degree of accuracy,
complex grammar devices, a careful choice of vocabulary and sentence structures in
order to create style, tone and information appropriate for the readers of one’s written
text (2005:7). All these points make the teaching of writing a complex matter, since all
this should be taken into consideration for efficient learning of writing strategies.