“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.
Cushing Weigle looks at the writing ability from several perspectives. For instance, she
views it as a social and cultural phenomenon and as a cognitive activity (2002:14).
These two aspects are briefly presented below.