Kirjoitustavat

Kirjoitustavat is a Finnish term that covers the different ways of writing. In everyday use it refers to the conventions and practices that govern how text is produced, including how letters are shaped, how words are spelled, and how sentences and paragraphs are organized.

Orthography and scripts: In linguistics and education, kirjoitustapa often points to orthography—the standardized spelling, punctuation, and capitalization conventions of a language. It also encompasses the scripts or alphabets used for writing, such as the Latin alphabet in most Western languages, and any diacritics or special letters.

Handwriting and historical scripts: The term can also refer to handwriting styles, from print to cursive, and to historical scripts used in manuscripts, such as medieval or early modern handwriting. Changes in schooling, technology, and culture influence which styles are taught and favored.

Genres and rhetorical styles: In writing pedagogy, kirjoitustavat describe different ways of expressing information or argument. Common genres or styles include descriptive, narrative, expository, persuasive, and reflective writing, as well as specialized forms such as scientific or journalistic writing. The choice of style depends on purpose and audience.

Digital and typographic conventions: In the digital age, kirjoitustavat also cover typography, layout, and formatting choices that affect readability, such as font selection, line length, and paragraph structure. They reflect conventions of media, platform, and genre and may evolve with new communication practices.