I hear this question quite often throughout the day, students in today's media and technology saturated world do not think that writing is a necessary skill. I, on the other hand, beg to differ. I am also not one to say, "Because I said so".
I have been trying to help students understand, technology or not, there is still a need to be able to write effectively and efficiently. I have been trying to show them, (convince them--may be a better word) that emails, texting, and publishing on the web are all forms of writing. Regardless of the purpose, each is a form writing--communication in the written form. I feel that the ability to write, and write well is very important.
I spent several months researching writing in non-ELA content areas and the effects that it has on students overall academic success. It was not surprising to me that writing when incorporated in every subject area helps students to synthesize what they have learned.
Now when I am presented with the question, "Why do we have to write Mrs. Bradshaw?" I have the 'ammunition' I need to provide a valid response. Writing will provide you with skills necessary to be competent in our ever changing society. Informative writing, for example, is necessary in day to day life. Examples where informative writing are utilized include academic studies (college), business, and other professions. During parent conferences we had one parent who works in a machine shop confide that he has to write everyday on his job. Writing task for this gentleman included analysis of why things worked, or didn't work, evidence of cause and effect situations, and motivations for actions that he took while on the job that day. In other words, the how and the why.
To be continued....