Abstract:

This paper presents the results of a study that analysed texts resulting from the activity of rewriting performed by fifth graders. The aim of the study was to determine the extent to which the pupils appropriated the language patterns highlighted in the original text, reusing and combining them with their own language resources when performing the task of rewriting that particular passage. The study also focused on the question whether low-achieving pupils managed to appropriate the language patterns at a similar level to their high-achieving classmates. The results show that the participants were able to appropriate the linguistic patterns, to reuse them and also to modify and combine them with their own resources. Those pupils who usually experience greater difficulties in reading and writing activities revealed no significant differences compared to the other pupils and were able to perform the tasks in a similar way to their high-achieving classmates.

Keywords:

Writing, Rewriting, Genre-based approach, Reading to Learn, Sydney School.