How do I analyse a child’s written language development instead of spoken development because I can’t analyse things like phonology or conversational features?

When analysing a child’s piece of writing there are certain things to look out for that we don’t use when analysing speech. For example, we can study orthography (the spelling of words), graphemes (letters or collections of letters that represent phonemes) and even things such as directionality and mechanical and spacial control. These are areas we that we cannot use when analysing speech.To start with, here is an introductory framework for analysing a child’s piece of writing:Graphology - this is simply the study of written symbols. It is the text’s overall layout.Linearity - does the child write in straight lines? Are the letters next to each other or are they all jumbled up on the page?Directionality - has the child written from left to right or are they writing right to left or even up or down. If they are, why do you think this is? Do we know anything about the child's background which might indicate why they are writing in a non-standard direction?Mechanical and spacial control - does the child seem to have control over the symbols or letters being written? Do they understand the use of spaces between words and punctuation?Grammar - we can analyse the sentence types being used by the child which might overlap with speech analysis. Are they using simple sentences or compound sentences perhaps? Do they write using the third person or first person? If they are writing about themselves in the third person, why do you think that is? What is their use of punctuation like?Lexis - again this may overlap with analysing spoken language. You can look out for things such as pivot words, open words, the use of concrete nouns or possibly abstract nouns.Letter formation/graphemes - this is quite simply the marks made on the page. Are they creating letter strings, drawings, letter-like scribbles or do they actual use conventional writing? What next? - It is always a good idea to suggest what the child might develop next. For example, if they are producing letter-like scribbles, the next stage of development will be random letters on a page. Another example is if a child is using simple sentences they are likely to develop to compound sentences next using "and" and possibly "but". By using this framework you will be able to analyse an entire written text, right from it's overall layout, all the way down to individual graphemes.