How Writing Works
From the Invention of the Alphabet to the Rise of Social Media

From the invention of the alphabet to the explosion of the internet, Dominic Wyse takes us on a unique journey into the process of writing.

Dominic Wyse (Author)

9781107184688, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 November 2017

248 pages, 17 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.7 x 1.5 cm, 0.54 kg

'A comprehensive survey and a meaningful proposal for future practices in education.' Andrew Caines, The Times Literary Supplement

From the invention of the alphabet to the explosion of the internet, Dominic Wyse takes us on a unique journey into the process of writing. Starting with seven extraordinary examples that serve as a backdrop to the themes explored, it pays particular attention to key developments in the history of language, including Aristotle's grammar through socio-cultural multimodality, to pragmatist philosophy of communication. Analogies with music are used as a comparator throughout the book, yielding radically new insights into composition processes. The book presents the first comprehensive analysis of the Paris Review interviews with the world's greatest writers such as Louise Erdrich, Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Ted Hughes, and Marilynne Robinson. It critically reviews the most influential guides to styles and standards of language, and presents new research on young people's creativity and writing. Drawing on over twenty years of findings, Wyse presents research-informed innovative practices to demonstrate powerfully how writing can be learned and taught.

1. Introduction
2. A history of writing
3. Writing guidance
4. Expert writers
5. Creativity and writing
6. Novice writers and education
7. The process of writing.

Subject Areas: Educational: writing skills: handwriting [YQCS1], Educational: English language: reading & writing skills [YQCS], Philosophy & theory of education [JNA], Philosophy of mind [HPM], Writing skills [CJCW], Linguistics [CF]