Describes Sentence Patterns, a software program designed to help teach sentence structure to college freshman composition students. Topics discussed include traditional teaching methods for the effective use of written language, software development, use in computer labs, and student surveys used for courseware evaluation. (LRW)

To learn more about the impact of word processing on the writing of college freshmen, a 2-year study involving 320 students of average writing ability investigated whether (1) students using word processors write significantly better than those who do not; (2) manipulating and improving sentences on a screen affects students' awareness of grammar,…

Discusses revision as a growth-through-change process occurring continuously through all stages of drafting. Describes several ways in which word processing facilitates invention, substitution, reordering, adding, cutting and other aspects of this kind of composing. Offers guidelines for using computers in the writing classroom. (JG)

Discusses a study of the effects of first year composition students' use of a microcomputer as a word processor on the quality of their writing. Compares students who used the word processor with those who hand wrote their compositions, revealing greater improvement among the word processing group, regardless of initial skill levels. (PAA)

Describes a teaching strategy using Apple IIe computers in a sequence of individual conferences. Includes asking questions while scrolling through the paper, showing students how to elaborate ideas by entering suggested changes and prompts in capital letters during the conference, and using a spelling checker to prompt revision (e.g., by compiling…

This first-year progress report considers the objectives and achievements of CompuEnglish, a project developed at Saddleback College's North Campus (California) to introduce word processing skills into traditional composition classes. Section I offers a summary report on progress as of 1985, reviewing the four phases of project implementation and…

Reviews trends in composition instruction in two-year colleges, including an emphasis on information literacy, critical thinking skills, and writing across the curriculum; and discusses parallel developments in the field of bibliographic instruction. Recommends an approach to incorporating critical thinking, new technologies, and program…

Describes study that examined the effect of the use of microcomputers as word processors in a college freshman English composition course. Treatments for the experimental and control groups are described, dependent and independent variables are explained, and results based on pretest and posttest writing samples are analyzed. (21 references) (LRW)

A summary is provided of the activities and outcomes of Irvine Valley College's (IVC's) CompuEnglish Project, a program designed to introduce word processing skills in Freshman Composition classes and assess improvements in student writing. First, introductory material describes efforts in computer-based composition undertaken at other schools,…

Intended to provide language arts teachers with practical ideas to help students become better writers, this focused journal issue addresses writing instruction at all levels, from elementary school through college. The titles of the articles and their authors are as follows: (1) "Intuitive Writing" (J. Hise); (2) "Tutoring the…