writingwrit‧ing /ˈraɪtɪŋ/ ●●● S2 W3 noun 
What does the writing on the back say? a T-shirt with Japanese writing on it2[uncountable] books, poems, articles etc, especially those by a particular writer or about a particular subject: Some of his most powerful writing is based on his childhood experiences.travel/feminist/scientific etc writing3[uncountable] the activity of writing books, stories etc: In 1991 she retired from politics and took up writing as a career. a short story that stands out as a brilliant piece of writing a class in creative writing (=a subject studied at school or college, where you write your own stories, poems etc)4[uncountable] the particular way that someone writes with a pen or pencil SYN handwriting: Your writing is very neat.5[uncountable] the skill of writing: At this age we concentrate on the children’s reading and writing skills.6in writing if you get something in writing, it is official proof of an agreement, promise etc: Could you put that in writing, please?7writings [plural] the books, stories etc that an important writer has written: Darwin’s scientific writings8the writing is on the wall (also see/read the writing on the wall) used to say that it seems very likely that something will not exist much longer or someone will failwriting for The writing is on the wall for old manufacturing industries.COLLOCATIONS– Meanings 2&3ADJECTIVES/NOUN + writingcreative writing (=the writing of fiction)· He is currently teaching creative writing at the University of Michigan.travel writing· Here is some of the best travel writing from around the globe.historical/sociological/scientific etc writing· Much historical writing today looks at the lives of ordinary people, as well as at the rich and powerful.academic writing· In academic writing, you should avoid contractions such as "don't" or "aren't".feminist writing· Feminist writing has strongly criticized pornography as treating women as objects rather than people.NOUN + writingwriting materials (=pens, pencils, paper etc)· Pupils were able to try old writing materials such as slates and steel-nibbed pens.writing skills· a workshop to develop children's writing skillswriting style· Different newspapers tend to use different writing styles.phrasesa piece of writing· It's a brilliant piece of writing.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- All bids must be submitted in writing to the above address.
- Below each picture was a short piece of writing in Arabic script.
- Sherman produced his best writing back in the 1960s.
- The writing on the label is too small for me to read.
- There's some writing on the back of this photo, but I can't make out what it says.
- But it was not only writers with established political identities who were wary about how writing might be perceived.
- He felt it would leave him little time for his writing for one thing.
- In Nizan's theory of the revolutionary novel it is elevated to the status of necessary pre-condition of authentic writing practices.
- Nor is this only a question of a difference between writing and speech, as might at first appear.
- Produce a sustained piece of writing when the task demands it. ii Produce well-structured pieces of writing.
- The manual includes sample lesson plans, as well as guidelines on preparing and evaluating writing workshops.
Longman Language Activatorsomething that has been written or printed
· There's some writing on the back of this photo, but I can't make out what it says.in writing · All bids must be submitted in writing to the above address.piece of writing · Below each picture was a short piece of writing in Arabic script.
writing, especially a small amount of writing: the words: · The words were very faint but I could make out the name 'Alex'.· She scrawled the words 'I love you' on my desk.
the written part of a book, newspaper etc, not including notes, pictures etc: · The front page had no text, just a photograph of the Princess and a huge headline.· You can cut and paste whole blocks of text very easily on screen.
a copy of a book which is written by hand or typed, often before it is printed: · The finished manuscript was sent to the publisher on 3 January.· We were shown some of the ancient manuscripts and rare books that are kept in the British Library.
a piece of writing written on, or cut into, the surface of a stone, coin etc: · We read the inscriptions on the graves, and wondered what each of those lives had been like.· It was an engraved silver plate bearing the inscription 'Made for His Majesty George III June 1737'.
rude, humorous, or political writing on the walls of buildings, trains etc: · The corridors are very dirty, and the walls are covered with graffiti.
a piece of writing. A paper document is usually an official or legal one. A document that you produce on a computer is something you type into a particular file: · Several secret documents went missing from the government's Information department.· Your birth certificate is an important document, which should be kept safe at all times.· Open a new document (=on a computer) and name it "resume".· You can attach any documents to an email and send them to friends or colleagues.
written not spoken · Some expressions are more common in spoken English than in written English.· She was illiterate, and could not understand the written details on the insurance form. · Don't sign any written agreement until you have read every word of the contract.
if you get or give information in writing , it is written down, not spoken, so you can prove later what was actually said: · Please confirm in writing the date you intend to leave.· I don't have anything in writing, but they said they expected me to start work Monday.put something in writing: · You should have asked them to put what they agreed in writing.
if you put ideas or suggestions on paper , you write them down so that you can remember them or organize them more clearly: · If you have any suggestions for improving the course, put them on paper and we'll discuss them.· Felton had made the same allegations on paper, and had sent a copy to the FBI.
written by hand: · Please attach a covering letter (typed, not handwritten).· The scene of the accident was surrounded by flowers, many with handwritten cards expressing sympathy.
to write with a pen, pencil, etc to write words or numbers: · By third grade they can all read and write pretty well.· At the bottom he wrote: "with sincere love from your oldest friend".· Over 15 percent of adults have never learned to write.· Helga wrote her comments neatly in pencil .write on/in/at etc: · She quickly wrote the license plate number on her hand.· Hang on, let me just get something to write on.· Write your name at the top of the page.write down something: · I wrote down all the things we have to do today.write something down: · Do you want me to write that down for you?
especially spoken to write something: · I wrote to Marian, but I didn't put anything about Bill being arrested.put something in/on/at etc: · Put your name at the top of each answer sheet.· Just put 'with love from Jason' on the card.
to write down short pieces of information about something, especially in order to remind yourself about what someone said or what was happening: · Did you take any notes at the lecture?· I read the first three chapters and took some notes.
to write down information as soon as you get it, so that you will be able to use it later: · OK, let me make a note of that before I forget it.· Did you make a note of the train times?note down something: · Taking out a pen, she noted down the phone number.note something down: · Colin noted everything down in a little black book.
to write down what someone says, at the same time as they are saying it: take down something/get down something: · A group of reporters was following the Senator, trying to get down every word he said.· Could I just take down your name and address?take something down/get something down: · Do you want me to take all this down?· Before he left, Mark got most of what she'd said down on paper.
to give someone a written agreement, promise, offer etc in order to show them that you are serious about it: · Following an informal discussion, Chris decided to put her proposals in writing.· A deal was made, but apparently nothing was ever put in writing.
to write something using separate letters, in order to make your writing clearer: · Please print your name in block capitals.
the way someone writes with a pen, pencil etc: · I can barely read your writing.· The children spent hours practising their handwriting.
careless and untidy writing that is difficult to read: · What does it say? I can't read your scrawl!
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meanings 2&3ADJECTIVES/NOUN + writing I teach creative writing at Trinity College. Videos often make good teaching material. a box of paints and a sketch pad Keep a telephone pad and a pen to hand. some unusual pieces of sculpture
(=the writing of fiction)· He is currently teaching creative writing at the University of Michigan.
· Here is some of the best travel writing from around the globe.
· Much historical writing today looks at the lives of ordinary people, as well as at the rich and powerful.
· In academic writing, you should avoid contractions such as "don't" or "aren't".
· Feminist writing has strongly criticized pornography as treating women as objects rather than people.
NOUN + writing (=pens, pencils, paper etc)· Pupils were able to try old writing materials such as slates and steel-nibbed pens.
· a workshop to develop children's writing skills
· Different newspapers tend to use different writing styles.
phrases· It's a brilliant piece of writing.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· Greg won the school public-speaking competition.
I teach creative writing at Trinity College. (=that you use for writing letters etc)· Under the window was a small writing desk.
Videos often make good teaching material. a box of paints and a sketch pad Keep a telephone pad and a pen to hand. (=good quality paper for writing letters)· Can you fetch me a piece of writing paper and a pen?
some unusual pieces of sculpture· Their reading skills are poor.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· That is the nature of creative writing to me.· And she has tried to defuse the threat which science undoubtedly can pose against creative writing.· In prisons which offer art or creative writing classes, inmates will pour out their frustrated feelings in painting or poetry.· He's easily distracted from anything that isn't creative writing, though, very up-and-down.· At the same time there is the danger that such multiple scenarios may be no more valid than creative fiction writing.· This is not just about the creation in a religious sense but Coleridge's own creative writing.· The exciting and liberating redirection achieved during the sixties, usually characterised as the creative writing movement, has lost its way.
· This is where most of the best new writing is coming from.· Economy of words is a sign of good writing.· To be a fashion writer, you must have good writing skills - it's not enough simply to like clothes.· Looking at the might-have-beens of stylistic variation is a way of making the elusive quality of good writing open to inspection.· Careful reading and thoughtful, precise note making are essential to good essay writing.· William was taught by his father, a schoolmaster from Northamptonshire, and inherited his good writing.· We learn, mistakenly, that good writing is obscure, dense and full of hard words.· We come to believe that good writing shows how clever we are.
· For you, all historical writing must be thought of as evidence.· It is possible to identify three main types of historical writing - descriptive, narrative and analytical.· Primary and Secondary Evidence Primary evidence is the point of origin of all historical thought and writing.· Clarify your understanding of the main differences between narrative, description and analysis in historical writing. 3.· Notice that: 1. the order of the objectives reveals something of the process of historical writing.· Most New Historical writing on the Renaissance has openly acknowledged the difficulties inherent in reading texts as cultural documents.· Within New Historical writing the anecdote which symbolically reveals some important facet of Renaissance culture is a familiar critical practice.· In historical writing you may need a great deal of factual information to support your argument or opinion.
NOUN· He then began his letter writing campaign.· Integrated letter writing involves combining and manipulating data from a variety of different sources with the minimum of operator intervention.· The nature of letter writing has been emphasised, because it is critical to the success of a recruitment system.· With comprehension questions and letter writing exercises.· Come straight to the point and keep to the point are the golden rules of letter writing.· Final chapter revises grammatical points important in letter writing.· Training is available in telephone skills, letter writing, handling meetings or presentations, to help you meet your business objectives.· Index of model letters useful as a prop and exercises based on them also encourage creativity in letter writing.
· I gave my orders and they led me to a private room and brought me some writing paper and a pen.· Under page 300 lay two folded complete sheets of writing paper.· The sharp sound of Sister Mary's hand banging down on the square of writing paper stopped the chanting.· Bridget was holding a sheet of writing paper.· You could use them as a decorative device on invitations, or as part of the design on your personal writing paper.· Hunting for some writing paper he emptied the drawer in his wardrobe out on to the floor.· He realised that he would need some more writing paper, as well as something to eat.· Standard cheap writing paper - there's reams of it on sale, about four hundred outlets.
· Many had considerable reading and writing skills, but about 20 percent were recent immigrants, often with language difficulties.· These percentages are not based on functional literacy but on the most rudimentary writing skills.· These factors will naturally have their effect on acquisition of writing skills.· Infants are still developing their writing skills, and assessment will be through observation and discussion rather than through written exercises.· Employing such devices is a fine test of sheer writing skill, of careful and adroit manipulation of language.
VERB· If revised arrangements are made over the telephone, these, too, should be confirmed in writing.· If a specific idea has been discussed over the phone confirm the details in writing.· It should be confirmed in writing.· The guidelines say they should be so informed, and it should also be confirmed in writing.· He suggested I confirm my complaint in writing.· The instructions should either be given or confirmed in writing.
· Some, because their interests lie elsewhere, may be barely able to read, and their writing may be rudimentary.· He should have read the writing on the machine they gave him to spin the golden thread.· She unfolded Marek's exercise book and began reading the spidery writing where she had been forced to stop.· The lessons we observed were reading and writing and Maths.· I knew when I saw her in the graveyard reading the writing.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- The writing is on the wall for old manufacturing industries.
- Although two points clear of the pack, the writing is on the wall for Aberdeen unless some one starts banging goals away.
- I don't have anything in writing, but they said they expected me to start work Monday.
- Please confirm in writing the date you intend to leave.
- You should have asked them to put what they agreed in writing.
- Plato's writings
WORD FAMILYnounwriterwritingrewriteverbwriterewriteadjectivewritten ≠ unwritten
1[uncountable] words that have been written or printed: What does the writing on the back say? a T-shirt with Japanese writing on it2[uncountable] books, poems, articles etc, especially those by a particular writer or about a particular subject: Some of his most powerful writing is based on his childhood experiences.travel/feminist/scientific etc writing3[uncountable] the activity of writing books, stories etc: In 1991 she retired from politics and took up writing as a career. a short story that stands out as a brilliant piece of writing a class in creative writing (=a subject studied at school or college, where you write your own stories, poems etc)4[uncountable] the particular way that someone writes with a pen or pencil SYN handwriting: Your writing is very neat.5[uncountable] the skill of writing: At this age we concentrate on the children’s reading and writing skills.6in writing if you get something in writing, it is official proof of an agreement, promise etc: Could you put that in writing, please?7writings [plural] the books, stories etc that an important writer has written: Darwin’s scientific writings8the writing is on the wall (also see/read the writing on the wall) used to say that it seems very likely that something will not exist much longer or someone will failwriting for The writing is on the wall for old manufacturing industries.COLLOCATIONS– Meanings 2&3ADJECTIVES/NOUN + writingcreative writing (=the writing of fiction)· He is currently teaching creative writing at the University of Michigan.travel writing· Here is some of the best travel writing from around the globe.historical/sociological/scientific etc writing· Much historical writing today looks at the lives of ordinary people, as well as at the rich and powerful.academic writing· In academic writing, you should avoid contractions such as "don't" or "aren't".feminist writing· Feminist writing has strongly criticized pornography as treating women as objects rather than people.NOUN + writingwriting materials (=pens, pencils, paper etc)· Pupils were able to try old writing materials such as slates and steel-nibbed pens.writing skills· a workshop to develop children's writing skillswriting style· Different newspapers tend to use different writing styles.phrasesa piece of writing· It's a brilliant piece of writing.