Introduction to report writing

:Set Induction
Brain Storming: Jot down any idea that comes into your mind when you think of
”“writing
?What is writing●

?Is writing all around us●

?Do you write everyday●

?When did your first learn to write●

?How did you learn to write? / Who taught you writing ●

?What is writing
:Writing can simply be defined as
The use of visual symbols or signs to represent words which act as a code for .1
.communication
In The World's Writing Systems, Peter T. Daniels defines writing as: a system of .2
more or less permanent marks used to represent an utterance in such a way that
.it can be recovered more or less exactly without the intervention of the utterer
In The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Writings Systems, Florian Coulmas defines a .3
writing system as: a set of visible or tactile signs used to represent units of
language in a systematic way, with the purpose of recording messages which
can be retrieved by everyone who knows the language in question and the rules
.by virtue of which its units are encoded in the writing system
All writing systems use visible signs with the exception of the raised notation .4
.systems used by blind and visually impaired people, such as Braille and Moon
In A History of Writing, Steven Roger Fischer argues that no one definition of .5
writing can cover all the writing systems that exist and have ever existed.
Instead he states that a 'complete writing' system should fulfill all the following
:criteria
;Complete writing must have as its purpose communication ●

Complete writing must consist of artificial graphic marks on a durable or ●

;electronic surface
Complete writing must use marks that relate conventionally to articulate ●
speech (the systematic arrangement of significant vocal sounds) or
.electronic programming in such a way that communication is achieved
Writing systems are both functional, providing a visual way to represent
.language, and also symbolic, in that they represent cultures and peoples

Other features of writing

Writing is permanent = across time/space ●
 Writing is distant= time/ out of the room at that time= pen-pals/email ●

Writing is planned/ is a process =drafts/ proof reading/ etc ●

Writing is formal=important messages in a formal manner/ black and ●

white proof
Writing is linear- or is it? English = eye movement from left to right in a ●
?straight line. Chinese ?Jawi? Urdu
Three Influential features of writing
Context – determines meaning. E.g. you can write about wildlife in totally ●
different way depending on the context =definition in dictionary/ in a fairy
tale/ expert journal

Purpose-we have a purpose in mind for communicating in the medium & ●

style we choose. Example 1. scribble = act as a reminder 2.formal letter =
complaint

Receiver= who the readers is= age/sex/relationship ●

Forms of Writing /Written Genres:

http://www.readingonline.org/articles/writing/GENRES3.HTM
Different theorists have categorized the types of written genres we commonly
.use in the classroom in different ways
Collerson (1988) suggests a separation into Early genres (labels, .1
observational comment, recount, and narratives) and Factual genres
.(procedural, reports, explanations, and arguments or exposition)
Wing Jan (1991) categorizes writing into Factual genres (reports, .2
explanations, procedures, persuasive writing, interviews, surveys, descriptions,
biographies, recounts, and narrative information) and Fictional genres
.(traditional fiction and contemporary modern fiction)