The ability to
express oneself in a
written medium. Typically this involves imposing a structure on the expression (i.e. choosing between the
novel,
press release,
short story,
personal letter,
business letter,
encyclopedia and
scientific article forms); developing a
logical flow of argument and selecting
appropriate language and
terminology. All this in done with
reference to the
target audience and the message trying to be
communicated.
Writing skills are somewhat culturally dependent, since both structures and vocabulary are entirely cultural artifacts.
I've been told that structures and vocabulary aren't entirely
cultural artifacts. I believe they are: structures are a
cultural artifact because in many oral-based cultures (for example the
Maori in
New Zealand) the
oration is the only structure, while in
English orations are not an acceptable mainstream structure; vocabulary is entirely a
cultural artifact because there are mainly pairs of languages which have no
vocabulary in common.
deep thought says "To be skilled at this practice is no more a
cultural artifact than
oil painting or
violin playing." And I agree with him. The difference between us is that he sees neither
writing skills,
oil painting or
violin playing as
cultural artifacts and I see them all as
cultural artifacts. No
non-western culture features
violin playing except by
pollution (or
cross-fertilization if you prefer) with
western culture.