Page 28 - BUKU SYNOPSIS

2. Teaching EFL Writing

a. The Nature of Writing

Writing is a method for transforming ideas and feelings into

systematic verbal symbols that enable readers to comprehend the message

effectively. Writing cannot be viewed solely as a product, but also as a

form of communication. The writer must consider the social and cultural

environment in which the piece is intended (Weigle, 2002).

Communication is the means through which we can comprehend the ways

in which language is employed in society and the supporting cultures.

Writing serves as a social and cultural feature as a way of

communication, which implies that the writer should create his ideas for

those he intends to. The former relates to the writer's intended message to

the readers. For example, if the writer wishes to demonstrate his level of

agreement with a particular issue, he should convert his views into

argumentative writing. To help readers understand the message, he must

follow the generic structure and language pattern of the argumentative text.

The latter refers to the cultural aspect of the reader, i.e. the reader's

language patterns. The author's writing style is influenced by his cultural

upbringing. When the reader and the author have distinct cultural

backgrounds, there is a possibility of misunderstanding or

misinterpretation. Weigle (2002) asserts that diverse writing styles are

influenced by culture. Different cultural schemata can influence how

writers of a second language convey their thoughts in written form (Hyland,

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