Reviews and synthesizes the major findings on reversal errors made by young readers. (FL)

Argues that using models of adolescent cognitive and affective development in the construction of writing programs is a flawed approach. Discusses four "environmental" or sociological influences which cut across developmental grids and suggests the necessity of going beyond such developmental models to allay the "wasteland" in…

Argues that cognitive reductionism--seeking singular, unitary cognitive explanations for broad ranges of poor school performance--is an inadequate and culturally biased approach to the study of remedial writers. Surveys different approaches to cognition, and notes problems in applying these theories to the thought processes of poor writers. (MM)

Identifies context variables in written composition from theoretical perspectives in cognitive psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Considers how multiple views of context from across the disciplines can build toward a broader definition of writing. (JD)

The model for teaching reading and writing as integrated processes advocated in this paper is based on a holistic understanding of composing. Psycholinguistics, cognitive theory, and composing research are reviewed extensively in an attempt to clarify their theoretical implications for teachers of composing. Concepts discussed as applicable to an…

Recent history of writing research introduces a treatise on the development of writing abilities in preschool age children. Topics include composing processes, an examination of research done on the function rather than the form of writing, and language variation among various ethnolinguistic groups. (JN)

Scholars from varied disciplines--first language (L1) acquisition, second language (L2) acquisition, composition research, and cognitive psychology--have found a high level of permeability in their search for more effective classroom models of writing instruction. Among the most influential work in this area has been Stephen Krashen's theory of L2…

Subjective engagement and cognitive skills are important for various aspects of writing skills. For the work of writing to be efficient, the student must be able to function in both a rhetorical and productive situation, defined in terms of subject, function, and audience. The processes of writing--defined as planning, translating, and reviewing…

Focusing on spelling as an integral part of the writing process, this annotated bibliography addresses the problem of developing individualized, focused, and relevant methods for teaching spelling to elementary students. The annotations are organized around two specific questions: What strategies do children use to spell words and what…

This paper synthesizes some of the many ideas and issues pertaining to research on the development of writing skills, and on creating new technologies for writing. Such technologies include computer-based production tools, videodiscs, and other mass storage technologies with potential for knowledge storing and structuring. The discussion also…

This paper describes three alternative perspectives--information processing, social constructivism, and Piagetian/naturalist--of reading/writing connections and suggests instructional implications influenced by the three perspectives. The paper explores each theory in terms of basic assumptions, related research, and strengths and limitations and…

Recent research into the composing processes of children owes much to Piaget's postulate that cognitive development is linear--that children progress through stages of development whereby tasks are mastered at certain levels of cognitive understanding. The stages of children's writing processes (prewriting, composing, revising), as well as…

To support arguments for an integrative approach to the study of writing, this report summarizes past and current trends in writing research and the resulting implications. The introduction discusses pre-1970s, 1970s, and 1980s research trends, noting that current research focuses on the context in which writing takes place and points out the…

Intended to help educators, especially content area faculty, understand the factors influencing writing and to give specific teaching ideas across the secondary school spectrum, this paper reports a study of current research on writing methods and instructional models to develop a rationale for cross-curricular writing. Following brief discussions…

The proceedings of a conference designed to give researchers and educators the opportunity to discuss issues affecting public education, this report opens with a description of the Research and Development Exchange Coordinating Group's initial efforts to address teacher concerns in oral and written communication instruction. It then lists…