Concurs with Myra Kogen's article ("Journal of Basic Writing," v5 n1) which questioned current applications of cognitive theory to basic writing research. Argues, from the perspective of cognitive psychology, that these applications are undermined by false assumptions and flawed methodology. (MM)

Understanding the connections between students' levels of intellectual development, their view of the nature of knowledge, and their developing argumentative writing skills is central to helping students learn to write good argumentation. The first researcher to develop a model of intellectual development among college students was William Perry…

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…

Through an original analysis of letters written by 8 students at 4 grade levels (grades 7 through 13), this paper shows the relationship between individual affective and cognitive development and social awareness. Specifically, their relationships are shown by analyzing the writer, the text, and the instructor. Results indicate that seventh grade…

Writing researchers suggest that children should write stories in order to (1) entertain, (2) foster artistic expression, (3) explore the functions and values of writing, (4) stimulate imagination, (5) clarify thinking, (6) search for identity, and (7) learn to read and write. (HTH)

Writing development in preschool children has only recently begun to receive attention; however, Russian researchers dealt with the subject in the 1920s and 30s. Arguing that writing was a fundamental assist to cognitive growth as well as a tool for communication, Lev Vygotsky believed that the preschool child was ready to be taught writing.…

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…

Literacy studies of young children imply that college teachers need to be able to make a connection between what the students bring to the composition classroom and what they are writing in the university. Teachers need to discover students' writing backgrounds, the anxieties, rules, and attitudes they bring to the classroom. In addition, research…

Based on the idea that journal writing can help students discover gaps in their knowledge and explore relationships by allowing them to reflect on what they have learned, a study examined the usefulness of expressive journal writing in a first grade mathematics program. Subjects, members of a first grade classroom involved in a…