Abstract

Winterowd suggests that all writing skills fall into one of two categories: local skills and transferable skills. Local skills are defined as those skills that are domain-specific, such as knowledge of the genres of a particular field. Transferable skills, according to Winterowd, are the 'basics' of writing, including such issues as control of diction. Following Stephen Krashen's learning-acquisition theory, Winterowd asserts that the transferable skills, general skills that are important for competent writing across domains, must be acquired through modeling, practice, and feedback, while local skills can be taught. Two 'scenes' for writing instruction are suggested: a writing workshop (for acquistion) and a writing laboratory (for teaching local skills as well as editing). [Robin L. Snead, 'Transfer-Ability': Issues of Transfer and FYC, WPA-CompPile Research Bibliographies, No. 18]