This article describes a version of the Seminar in Basic Writing Theory and Pedagogy, a Master's level course that Marcia Buell taught in summer 2017 at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. Buell argues that because many MA students enter graduate courses in Basic Writing expecting that the course will show them how to "fix"…

This article discusses how amusing mistakes can make for serious language instruction. The notion that close analysis of language errors can yield insight into how one thinks and learns seems fundamentally obvious. Yet until relatively recently, language errors were primarily treated as indicators of learner deficiency rather than opportunities to…

Describes how the author uses the poems of Edgar Lee Masters'"Spoon River Anthology" in her developmental writing classes to foster literary discussion, build vocabulary, and teach a broad range of essay writing skills. (SR)

Examines the use of music as a springboard for writing. Provides an explanation of how basic writing students can use music-writing activities to discover meaningful topics and ideas, to develop specific supporting details, and to understand the connections between purpose and audience. (RS)

Discusses the rationale for working with computers as reading tools in a basic writing classroom and describes some of the teaching activities used in computer classrooms at the University of Minnesota's General College. (TB)

Describes an approach to teaching standard English to basic students that puts them at ease. Discusses "linguistic drift," the changes that take place in language over time. Describes a daily one-minute-drill listening exercise in standard English that is effective and leaves most of classtime to explore rich verbal experiences. (PRA)