Argues that the perennial problem of boring student writing is solved when assignments provide writers with target readers, enabling students to find their appropriate voice. Discusses a sample assignment in which students explain how to do something they do well to readers who don't know how to do it. (JG)

Describes a poetry writing assignment that teaches students the importance of place and objects in expressing emotions about a childhood memory. (RL)

Explains how to use various periodicals to demonstrate to composition students that writing style is both accessible and controllable. (AEA)

Argues that asking students to write in concrete images about specific events and places serves to emphasize the importance of writing from detailed personal experiences. (RL)

Advocates using the case approach in college writing classes. Suggests that asking students to play the roles of participants in a situation, whether real or imaginary, helps them learn to address a particular audience with a clear purpose. Offers a case approach with discussion questions and possible assignments. (RL)

Discusses technical writing textbooks and assignments that can be used in advanced courses in technical writing. (RL)

Describes a writing assignment that uses the song "America the Beautiful" to point the following six reasons why America is beautiful: skies, mountains, grain, Pilgrims, heroes, and dreams. (NKA)

A study compared two methods of teaching writing by varying the number of writing assignments. The group with less writing practice and more theory instruction was found to be equal in achievement to the group that received extra writing practice. (A suggested method of teaching business writing is presented.) (LRA)

Suggests ways of designing poetry writing assignments so that students are motivated to practice a particular writing skill. (RL)

Presents an assignment that helps technical writing students develop skills in preparing literature reviews. (RL)

Contends that the subtleties of good writing are best learned by imitating proper models. Notes that the trick to using imitation in writing instruction is knowing how to assign imitations and differentiate them carefully from plagiarism. Offers exercises as suggestions and student writing as illustrations. (RL)

An argument for using various letter writing assignments to help students develop their writing voices. (RL)

Techniques are discussed for encouraging students to write thoughtful papers about field trips. Greater student involvement can be achieved by cultivating a sense of ownership of the writing. Topics for before, during, and after the trip are suggested in such functional writing areas as instrumental, regulatory, interactional, personal, heuristic,…