Component 2 – Written language development: Transition from speech to writing (drawing, gesture and writing to create meaning)
This component introduces students to the ways in which language varies depending on the contexts of production and reception. It covers how language choices create personal identities and how language varies over time from c1550 to the present day. Students apply key language frameworks and levels to written, spoken, and multimodal data.
Quick Revision Summary (Key Takeaway)
This topic explores how children transition from speech to writing, focusing on the early stages of drawing, gesture, and scribbling as precursors to written language. It covers key theories of writing development, including Kroll's and Britton's models, and emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between spoken and written language in Edexcel A-Level English Language.
Topic Overview
This topic examines the fascinating journey from spoken language to written language in children. It begins with the earliest marks on paper—drawings, scribbles, and gestures—and traces how these evolve into conventional writing. The transition is not sudden but gradual, involving cognitive, physical, and social development. Understanding this process is crucial for English Language students as it reveals the underlying systems of language and how humans create meaning.
The study of writing development is central to the Edexcel A-Level English Language course because it connects to broader themes of language acquisition, language variation, and the relationship between speech and writing. You will explore key theories such as Kroll's stages of writing development and Britton's categories of writing, as well as concepts like emergent writing and orthographic awareness. These frameworks help explain why children write in the ways they do and how they eventually master the complexities of written language.
Moreover, this topic encourages you to analyse real examples of children's writing, applying theoretical knowledge to practical data. This skill is directly assessed in the exam, where you may be asked to comment on a child's writing sample. By mastering this topic, you will not only improve your analytical skills but also gain a deeper appreciation of the intricate process of becoming literate.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Emergent writing: The early stages of writing where children use drawing, scribbling, and letter-like forms to convey meaning before conventional spelling and grammar.
- →Graphomotor control: The physical ability to control writing tools, which develops alongside cognitive understanding of writing.
- →Orthographic awareness: The understanding that written language has a system of symbols (letters) that represent sounds and words.
- →Kroll's stages: Preparatory, consolidation, differentiation, and integration—a model of writing development from early scribbles to fluent writing.
- →Britton's categories: Expressive, transactional, and poetic writing, showing how writing serves different purposes and becomes more formal over time.
What You Need to Demonstrate
Key skills and knowledge for this topic
- Application of concepts relating to language variation to data from different time periods and modes
- Accurate use and application of linguistic terminology
- Critical evaluation of attitudes towards language and its users
- Analysis of how mode, field, function, and audience affect language choices
- Synthesis of language knowledge drawn from different areas of study
- Analysis of historical, geographical, social, and individual varieties of English
- Evaluation of the effect of language variation over time across frameworks (graphology, phonology, morphology, syntax, lexis, semantics, discourse)
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- Application of concepts relating to language variation to data from different time periods and modes
- Accurate use and application of linguistic terminology
- Critical evaluation of attitudes towards language and its users
- Analysis of how mode, field, function, and audience affect language choices
- Synthesis of language knowledge drawn from different areas of study
- Analysis of historical, geographical, social, and individual varieties of English
- Evaluation of the effect of language variation over time across frameworks (graphology, phonology, morphology, syntax, lexis, semantics, discourse)
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡Ensure familiarity with the English phonemic reference sheet and transcription mark key provided in the exam
- 💡Use a descriptive approach to evaluate how language choices are affected by social and geographical factors
- 💡Focus on the development of English as a national language and the influences (cultural, social, political, technological) that have changed it over time
- 💡Practice comparative analysis for both 21st-century texts and texts from different historical periods
- 💡Ensure responses are extended and comparative in nature
- 💡Always use specific examples from the data provided in the exam, and link them to theoretical concepts. For instance, if you see a child's drawing with a scribble, refer to 'emergent writing' and 'graphomotor control'.
- 💡When evaluating theories, consider both strengths and limitations, and use evidence from child development studies or your own observations to support your points.
- 💡Remember to comment on the relationship between speech and writing: how does the child's spoken language influence their writing? This is a key theme in the exam.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Failure to use appropriate linguistic terminology accurately
- Lack of critical evaluation of attitudes towards language
- Inability to synthesise knowledge across different areas of study
- Superficial analysis of contextual factors (mode, field, function, audience)
- Inconsistent application of language frameworks to data
- Misconception: Drawing is not writing. Correction: Drawing is a form of emergent writing; it is a child's first attempt to create meaning on paper and is a crucial precursor to conventional writing.
- Misconception: Children learn to write by first learning the alphabet. Correction: Many children begin with scribbling and drawing, and letter recognition comes later; the process is not linear and involves multiple skills developing simultaneously.
- Misconception: Writing development is purely cognitive. Correction: Social and cultural factors, such as exposure to literacy and adult scaffolding, play a significant role in how quickly and effectively a child learns to write.
Revision Plan
How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks
- 1Week 1: Focus on the key concepts and theories. Read your textbook sections on emergent writing, Kroll's stages, and Britton's categories. Make flashcards for key terms and theorists.
- 2Week 2: Analyse real examples of children's writing. Find samples online or in textbooks, and practice applying the theories to them. Write short paragraphs explaining the features you see.
- 3Week 3: Practice exam questions. Use past papers or create your own questions, and time yourself. Focus on structuring your answers with clear points, evidence, and evaluation.
- 4Week 4: Review and consolidate. Create mind maps linking theories and concepts, and test yourself with active recall prompts. Discuss with peers or teachers to clarify any doubts.
Exam Question Types
How this topic typically appears in the exam
- 📋Data analysis question: You will be given a sample of a child's writing (e.g., a drawing with scribbles) and asked to analyse it using concepts from the course. Tip: Describe the features, then explain what they show about the child's development, and link to theories.
- 📋Essay question: You may be asked to evaluate a theory of writing development, such as Kroll's. Tip: Structure your essay with an introduction, paragraphs on strengths and limitations, and a conclusion.
- 📋Short-answer question: You might be asked to define a term like 'emergent writing' or 'orthographic awareness'. Tip: Give a precise definition and an example.
- 📋Comparison question: You could be asked to compare speech and writing development. Tip: Use a table to organise your points, and focus on differences in mode, structure, and acquisition.
Command Word Expectations (EDEXCEL)
What examiners look for when using specific command words in this specification
Break down the topic into its components, showing how they relate. For example, analyse a child's writing sample by identifying features and explaining their significance in terms of development.
Make a judgement about the value or effectiveness of a theory or concept. Consider strengths and limitations, and provide evidence to support your judgement.
Give a clear account of how or why something happens. For example, explain how drawing leads to writing, using specific examples and theoretical references.
How Students Lose Marks (Examiner Pitfalls)
Common mark loss traps and how to write 100% full-mark answers
Step-by-Step Worked Solutions
Detailed solution breakdown for typical exam problems
Question: Analyse the following example of a 4-year-old's writing: a picture of a house with a scribble underneath. Explain how this demonstrates the transition from speech to writing, using concepts from the course.
- 1.Step 1: Identify the key features: the drawing and the scribble.
- 2.Step 2: Apply the concept of emergent writing: the child is using drawing as a form of meaning-making, and the scribble shows an attempt to represent language in a written form.
- 3.Step 3: Discuss the role of gesture and talk: the child may have narrated the drawing, showing the link between speech and writing.
- 4.Step 4: Conclude that this is a typical early stage where the child is developing graphomotor control and understanding that writing carries meaning.
Question: Evaluate Kroll's theory of writing development in relation to the transition from speech to writing. Refer to at least one other theory in your answer.
- 1.Step 1: Outline Kroll's four stages: preparatory, consolidation, differentiation, and integration.
- 2.Step 2: Explain how the preparatory stage involves the child learning the physical and cognitive skills needed for writing, often through drawing and scribbling.
- 3.Step 3: Compare with Britton's categories (expressive, transactional, poetic) to show how writing becomes more differentiated from speech over time.
- 4.Step 4: Evaluate the theory's strengths (clear stages) and limitations (may not account for individual variation or social factors).
- 5.Step 5: Conclude with a balanced judgement.
Active Recall Memory Test
Test your memory before revealing the key facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic understanding of language acquisition theories, such as those by Chomsky and Skinner, as they provide a foundation for how children learn language.
- •Knowledge of the key features of spoken language, such as phonology and pragmatics, to compare with written language.
- •Familiarity with the concept of 'mode' in language, as writing is a different mode from speech.
Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Emergent literacy and the semiotic function of drawing
- Kroll’s stages of development (Preparation, Consolidation, Differentiation, Integration)
- The relationship between phonological awareness and orthographic accuracy
Likely Command Words
How questions on this topic are typically asked
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