In this chapter, the writer will explain some theories that still relate to the topic. First, the writer explains the definition of writing itself.
Second, it is about the kinds of writing consisting of free writing, controlled writing, and guided writing. The last chapter, she discusses the
role of writing in learning language.
1. The Definition of Writing
In this chapter the writer quotes some definitions of writing. According to Oxford Advanced Lea
rner’s Dictionary writing is “to make letters or other symbols ideographs on a surface
”.
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Based on the definition above writing is an activity to make or to arrange written or printed words, letters or symbols which have
meaning. According to Walter T. Petty and Julie M. Jensen, writing is
“the mental and physical act of forming letters and words”.
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National council of teachers of English commission stated that writing is “An
important medium for self-expression, for communication, and for the discovery of meaning. Its need increased rather than decreased by the
development of new media for mass communication ”.
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Marianne C. Murcia also stated in her book that writing is “The ability to express one‟s ideas in written form in a second or foreign
language ”.
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As Hornby, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of current English, Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 1984 p. 362
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Walter T. Petty and Julie M. Jensen, Developing Children’s Language, New York:
Allyn and Bacon Mc, 1963 p. 362
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National Council of Teachers of English Commission on Composition. “Composition:
A position statement”, elementary English s2 February 1975 p. 194 by Walter T Petty and Julie M. Jensen, in developing children‟s language.
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Marianne Celce Murcia, Teaching English as a second foreign language, United States: Massachusetts, 1991 p.233
Erika Lindemann proposed the definition of writing as a process of communication which uses a conventional graphic system
to convey a message to a reader.
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in addition writing can also be defined as the process of recording spoken language using a system of
visual marks on a surface. The concept includes the particular medium expression Usually hand writing or typing and the product which
emerges the piece of writing or composition.
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Writing skill is one of four language skills that someone will get in language learning and it is the most difficult one. As the last skill
gained, this skill is considered as one of productive skills because writer, in writing activity, expresses herhis ides for reader.
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Sara added, “even though is the fourth skill, writing has also become more
important as tenets of communicative language teaching and also as an essential too for learning
”.
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2. The Kinds of Writing
