In this interview, Paula Mathieu explores the rhetorical tactics and contemplative practices necessary to cultivate hope in a period of political tumult. Drawing on her scholarship on the "public turn" in Composition Studies, a term she gave us in her vital "Tactics of Hope: The Public Turn in English Composition," Mathieu…

Despite the author's initial skepticism, a classroom set of iPads has reinforced a student-directed approach to writing instruction, while also supporting an inclusive classroom. Using the iPads, students guide their writing process with access to the learning management system, electronic information resources, and an online text editor. Students…

While models of expressive writing are supposed to encourage individuals to look within and release what is good and true, growing up with such a model may be counterproductive in that writers may never learn to take advantage of social interaction that might be of help in the invention and prewriting stage, and thus fail to realize the benefits…

Argues that diminishing the distinctions between oral and written text-making will harm students trying to transform oral to written text. Applies dialogic theory to the science essay, a genre that is a staple in cross-curricular writing courses. Presents five basic teaching strategies that balance oral and written conventions. (RS)

Questions the effectiveness of incorporating collaboration into classrooms and expecting instant results. Discusses the highly individualistic pedagogy that students have already been steeped in. Calls for practical measures and instruction in collaborative skills which will foster collaborative learning. (HB)

Argues that students need invention strategies as well as introspection to collect information and make sense of it, but they also need instruction in discriminating among invention strategies and help in choosing the best strategy for a given writing task. Three overlooked strategies are research, collaboration, and form. (RS)

Addresses the question of whether the personal essay is "democratic." Suggests three ways in which the personal essay can be integrated into a collaborative writing pedagogy. (RS)

Argues for increased emphasis on collaboration in the classroom. Compares the present educational system to the capitalistic economic system based on competition. Proposes an alternative system that provides society with a democratizing influence that features noncompetitive, collaborative learning. (HB)

Examines the differences between peer response groups and writing tutorials. Gives a brief history of each, and discusses them in terms of determining goals, setting the agenda for collaboration, and methods. Offers some cautionary reminders. (SR)

Describes an effective method for having business writing students work together on a writing project. (JC)

Describes how one English teacher developed an "I-Search Project" for high school classes that integrated literary research with peer support to create a community of writers. Shows how such a project encourages collaboration both inside and outside of the English classroom. Provides student response to the project. (HB)

Describes the variables for designing and maintaining writing groups within classroom settings. Advocates the use of writing groups. Provides outline of which structures are possible, what training is advisable, and what modifications can be made in view of changing class dynamics. (HB)

Describes the experiences of the participants in a graduate course called "Research in Written Composition" that nurtured the exchange of writing among teacher and students. Narrates the experience of one student and the instructor as a record of an empowering relationship and presents numerous excerpts of their journal writing. (HB)

Focuses on the tutorial function of writing centers. Describes the uniqueness of the tutorial relationship. Claims that this relationship makes possible knowledge about writing unavailable in more institutionalized settings. Analyzes extensive excerpts from student comments concerning tutorial experiences. (HB)

Reports student responses to a collaborative writing assignment. Argues that in the real world, collaborative efforts are common and that students need to learn how to work together on a project. (FL)