Cognitive Effects of Producing Written Texts

This paper is devoted to the writing process and its cognitive effects. Starting with a brief historical overview, the author proceeds to discuss multiple aspects of cognitive properties of the human being involved in the process of writing with the focus on language, memory and thinking. Since writing requires concerted cognitive efforts and the application of the writer’s numerous skills at each stage of the writing process, the resulting strain may lead to memory and attention overload, which can only be alleviated by applying certain strategies presented in the paper. Among these strategies the author discusses freewriting, the technique of flow and the strategy of dividing the process text composition into manageable chunks. Intensive cognitive efforts also have a positive effect on the brain plasticity in response to external demands, which is confirmed by the latest discoveries in neuroscience. The outcomes of research on neuroplasticity is quoted here in support of the author’s hypothesis that conscious and regular training, also called deliberate practice, may lead to stimulating neuroplasticity, thus leading to both better writing and improved cognitive performance