The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for Language and Writing in South Africa emphasizes a balanced approach to teaching writing, which includes process-oriented and product-oriented methods. A product-based approach focuses on the final written piece, often prioritizing the quality of the finished text over the writing process itself.
While a product-based approach can align with the CAPS prescripts—especially in terms of teaching students to produce coherent and well-structured texts—it may not fully comply with the CAPS philosophy, which advocates for:
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Process Writing: Emphasizing stages such as brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing, allowing students to understand writing as a process rather than just a final product.
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Diverse Writing Skills: Encouraging creativity and different forms of writing, beyond just the completion of assignments for evaluation.
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Integration of Assessment: Using various formative assessments throughout the writing process, rather than focusing solely on summative assessments of final products.
In summary, while a product-based approach can be a valuable aspect of writing instruction, it should be integrated with a process-oriented approach to align with the holistic expectations of CAPS. Educators are encouraged to incorporate elements of both approaches to effectively develop students' writing skills in accordance with the CAPS framework.
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