In this dissertation, spoken and written language are compared by means of a systematic approach which is based on the categories "orate" and "literate" (as they were shaped by Maas). The investigation includes three linguistic domains: NP structure (or form of referents), clause structure, and linking devices. For each domain of analysis, a scale is developed which is applied to spoken and written data of monolingual and bilingual pupils. The comparison of the different data reveals to what extent the pupils are able to detach from spoken language structures in their written texts. Moreover, it becomes apparent if differences between monolingual and bilingual pupils occur.