Development of Noun Phrase Complexity Across Genres in Children’s Writing

Abstract Complex noun phrases (NP) are central to mature academic writing and often a focus of explicit teaching. The National Curriculum in England, for example, requires specific components NP complexity be taught at educational stages. However, the evidence base such practices is unclear. Research on emergence both limited dated. Moreover, some work has suggested that development late-occurring genre-specific, calling into question curricular guidance which specifies teaching from earliest years makes no mention genre. Analysing 240 texts written by children England aged six 16, this study shows overall develops roughly constant rate primary school onwards. Increases principally driven postmodification, especially relative clauses proposition phrases. By end their mandatory education, make use genre distinctions evident adult writing. there also clear patterns overuse underuse particular components. Key distinctive features examined context understand roles play development.