Written literacy involves the ability to use print to produce and communicate information. It is a complex process with many component subskills. Written language development focuses on the process and quality of writing. Specifically, writing development includes the following skills and processes:
- fine motor and visual-spatial skills
- letter formation
- use of upper- and lower-case letters
- manuscript (printing) or cursive (handwriting)
- legibility and spacing of letters and words
- adherence to the lines and margins on the writing paper
- writing process (planning, organization, drafting, editing, and revising)
- writing fluency and rate
- content - organization and development of ideas (ability to communicate meaningful ideas in writing)
- written expression - clarity of communication; voice and style of writing
- application of written mechanics and conventions (capitalization, punctuation, and spelling)
- grammar, syntax, vocabulary (word choice), and sentence structure
- written structure and format (paragraphs, narrative stories, letters, reports, essays, etc.)
- motivation, interest, attention, and concentration during writing tasks
Another important aspect of written communication involves spelling accuracy. Spelling, or orthographic knowledge, is related to both clarity of communication in writing, as well as word identification in reading. Spelling ability provides valuable insight into a learner’s knowledge of word structure.
