Writing

Writing is one of the most important discoveries of the humanity. It is one of the oldest technological instruments that the human being has for his or her communication. It is a laborious activity, but also very interesting. It would be impossible to imagine modern world without writing. But writing is not only this. It is also a skill that requires discipline, time, work and a lot of study. It is not a product, but a process that is in a constant development. And his process involves all the composition with rehearsing to the next writing.

The generation of ideas and the construction of meanings happen when the writer enters in contact with writing production. He or She thinks, rethinks, writes, rewrites, read, reread and makes a dialogue with the text, exploring it and discovering its meaning. So, independently of the writer ability, he or she goes developing an interaction with text, happening with this the process of rehearsing, drafting and revising. At this moment also, the own writing takes a kind of form of constructing itself. It is interesting to perceive that reading has a function not only of input, but output when the writer rewrites his or her text.

In the classroom, all level teachers must teach writing. The teacher can begin with a little text, teaching some strategies to the practice of composition. It is very important that the teacher teaches the pupil to think about what he or she writes and feels linked the writing process. The motivation trough reading, speaking and listening can help, but is the practice of writing that really helps the student in the development of writing. With the beginning levels, it cannot be easy, however is possible the application of some technique by the teacher which can help the pupil in writing development. As examples of what can be done, telling stories, printing in the classroom, writing daily, listening to music, completing the gaps, coping dialogues of newspapers, or magazines, writing letters, a little conversation, short writing, keeping records, writing reports and descriptions of pictures. And with other levels, when the students have more acquisition of a language, it will become easier the work with writing.

But it is necessary also a lot of reading and practice of writing for the pupil interact with the text and discovers the wonderful art that is writing. Reading is present in writing all the time. It is impossible to write without reading. The relation that exists between reading and writing is similar to the first and second language. It serves as put to writing. On the other hand, the constant practice of writing contributes very much for its development. Stephen D. Krashen talks first of all that reading is necessary, but is not sufficient for acquisition of writing. This is because writing learning must be permanent.

Therefore, is very important that in the classroom writing activity can be a process that helps the student in the acquisition of the writing skill, so that when he or she develops this activity, he or she can feel very comfortable. The teacher can plan his or her class with stages of rehearsing, drafting and revising. Rehearsing promotes the dialogue between the pupil and his consciousness. Drafting helps the students to interact with writing and reading efficiently. Revising is the moment when the student makes revision, research and correction of the composition. And so, writing after writing is a process and not only a product.

By

Adão Lourenço