Writing as a Cognitive Activity

Abstract

This paper examines characteristics of the mental processes required for writing. Comparisons and contrasts are made with the nature of processing required for other cognitive activities such as arithmetic, problem solving, reading, and particularly conversation. Recent research on children’s writing is reviewed that reveals the advantages as well as disadvantages of superimposing writing skills over well developed language skills. This research suggests that it is the inability to access already existing skills which determine the form of language, rather than an absence of such skills, that poses the major obstacle to the development of writing abilities.