UDL Part One: Multiple Means of Supporting the Recognition System in Writing

Introduction to the Recognition System

Skilled writers automatically recognize the patterns of language, from letter shapes or word spellings to formal prose or poetry structures. They understand the conventions of spoken and written language and can easily apply these conventions in their written communication. Reviewing their work, they can evaluate whether they have successfully made their points and whether their work is accurate. The key role of pattern recognition in writing is not as obvious as it is in reading (Meyer and Rose, 1998). Yet the recognition system in the brain plays a crucial role in learning to write and in writing effectively.

Recognition of key language patterns such as letter shapes, spelling conventions, and sentence structures, the province of the posterior brain, is essential to a learner's ability to reproduce these patterns in written expression. To teach pattern recognition, methods and tools should accentuate patterns, offer opportunities to practice applying these patterns, and adjust to individual differences in skills and interests.