The teaching of writing based on social activities and genres

Abstract

The aim of this essay is to further the debate on the pedagogical advantages of using the concept of genre for the teaching of writing. In that sense, we carry out a discussion of the treatment given to this concept by the PCN+ (BRASIL, 2000) and, as a consequence, a reflection on language teaching. The reflexions presented here are based on two basic principles: 1) the teaching of writing depends on a conceptual realignment by the student about the meaning of writing, to whom we write, with what objectives, how and about what; 2) the writing activities proposed by teachers must enlarge the student’s view of a possible context for her/himself.