2.4.5

Other Writing Theories

Test yourself

Other Writing Theories

These theories don’t fit neatly into any category but are still very important to bring into your essay.

Illustrative background for __Rothery__Illustrative background for __Rothery__ ?? "content

Rothery

  • Rothery divided types of children’s writing into 4 categories:
    • Observations and comments – the writer will make observations and evaluative comments.
    • Recounts – chronological recounts of events which are subjective. These follows a set pattern of ‘orientation-event-reorientation’.
Illustrative background for __Rothery__ cont.Illustrative background for __Rothery__ cont. ?? "content

Rothery cont.

  • Reports – factual descriptions in an objective manner of events or things – this isn’t usually chronological.
  • Narratives – stories. These must follow a set order – the ending cannot come before the middle of the story. Children often find this difficult.
Illustrative background for __Brice-Heath__Illustrative background for __Brice-Heath__ ?? "content

Brice-Heath

  • Brice-Heath’s very influential research examines how social class and culture affects a child’s ability to make literacy progress.
  • She studied three towns in order to investigate this:
Illustrative background for Maintown (white middle class)Illustrative background for Maintown (white middle class) ?? "content

Maintown (white middle class)

  • Plentiful exposure to literacy activities like reading at bedtime.
  • Interrogative mood is used to question SPaG understanding.
  • Children are encouraged to look beyond the story into wider significance.
    • For example, in ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, the parent may encourage the child to be careful who they trust.
Illustrative background for Roadville (white working class)Illustrative background for Roadville (white working class) ?? "content

Roadville (white working class)

  • Parents were aware of their socio-economic status and wanted their children to perform as well as the Maintown students.
  • As with Maintown, children were surrounded by books, however, the interrogative mood was often missing or lacking.
  • They start education well, but this deteriorates as time goes on.
Illustrative background for Trackton (black working class) Illustrative background for Trackton (black working class)  ?? "content

Trackton (black working class)

  • The oral style of storytelling is cherished.
  • Creativity is key and much more important than accuracy.
  • The oral storytelling leads to a lack of books and therefore comprehension of orthography and syntax.
  • As a result, students could create a very good story, but are severely behind in writing accurately.

Jump to other topics

1Language Levels

2Language, The Individual & Society

3Language Diversity & Change

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