kirjoitusennakoinnin

Kirjoitusennakointi is a Finnish term that translates roughly to “pre-writing” or “writing preconception.” It describes a structured process undertaken before composing a piece of text, intended to clarify purpose, organize ideas, and anticipate audience reaction. The concept emerged in the early 20th century within Finnish pedagogical literature, influenced by German and Swedish educational models that emphasized planning as a distinct phase of writing. In Finnish schools it is taught as part of the language curriculum, often integrated with the kriipilisoveltaminen (critical thinking) component of the curriculum.

The main steps of kirjoitusennakointi include setting goals, defining the target reader, summarising key points in a concise plan, selecting appropriate language register and style, and anticipating possible objections or questions. Teachers often use graphic organizers such as mind maps or flowcharts to visualise these steps. The process is considered especially valuable for longer compositions such as essays, reports, and creative writing, where a coherent structure enhances clarity.

Research in Finland shows that explicit instruction in kirjoitusennakointi improves students’ writing quality, especially in terms of organization and coherence, while also reducing the need for extensive revision. Critics argue that it may constrain spontaneous creativity, particularly in creative writing contexts, and suggest a balanced approach that reserves space for iterative development. Nonetheless, the method remains a staple of Finnish writing pedagogy, reflecting a broader cultural emphasis on careful planning and systematic inquiry before taking action.