Economists largely agree that writing is fundamental to understanding and communicating economics and can serve as an effective way to teach students to "think like economists." However, only a small percentage of programs include writing-intensive courses, a major research paper, or a senior thesis, and even fewer devote class time to…

To teach effective business communication, instructors must target students’ current weaknesses in writing. One method for doing so is by assigning writing exercises. When used heuristically, writing exercises encourage students to practice self-assessment, self-evaluation, active learning, and knowledge transfer, all while reinforcing the basics…

Some insights into the nature of functional grammar can be useful for teachers of composition. There are four ways that functional grammar stands in opposition to common linguistics in the United States. First, for functionalists (those practicing functional grammar), the starting point is with kinds of meanings, not with kinds of structures; the…

Incorporating creative play in the writing lab or classroom is a unique way to pique students' interest and boost their imagination. Exercises varying from describing Hershey's Kisses®, to using tape recorders for discussing voice, to using magnetic poetry to practice grammar are all ways that stimulate learning through the lens of play. Play…

Describes a method for teaching writing in which a series of passages are rewritten by the student, altered by progressively difficult transformations and manipulations, as an alternative to grammar instruction. (HTH)

Describes the author's way of meeting grammar education learning objectives. Structures the class by presenting model sentences to the students and doing imitation writing activities, practicing different sentence constructions in class. Concludes that by using this "language play," students' sensitivity to language (and to what it can do)…

A process-oriented freshman composition instructor who stresses invention, drafting, and revision can simultaneously integrate a form of grammatical instruction. Various methods and strategies, both from experience and research on grammar from the classical to the contemporary era, suggest such a creative integration. First, the teaching of…

Compares grammatical phrases to dance patterns and suggests exercises for students that will strengthen and develop their understanding of those concepts. (DF)

Three methods for teaching writing are proving effective in metropolitan Atlanta schools: (1) using small groups to help students diagnose and review their own papers; (2) assigning brief writing exercises and journals to develop fluency; and (3) deriving lessons in grammar and punctuation from students' own papers to improve mastery of standard…

A writing program that emphasizes daily writing practice, artistic as well as mechanical criticism, group work, student interests, and revision is being successfully taught in several elementary and high schools. (CJ)

In order that the teacher trainee may gain knowledge, skills, and proficiency in the communication skills instruction of elementary school children, this handbook of modules focuses on five major areas of the language arts--listening, speaking, reading, writing, and dramatizing. Eight modules are included: "Overview, Interrelationship, and…

A project followed the development of a curriculum of editing assignments used to bridge the gap between Miami-Dade Community College students' passive command of grammatical rules and active use of them in their writing. Assumptions and strategies used in developing the curriculum included: (1) the idea that editing must be seen as a part of the…

A two-semester course in English composition offered in a Japanese university is described. The course is designed to transition students from minimal skills in communicative writing at program entry to a course in field-specific technical writing by exposing students to several writing genres. Key activities of the course include pre- and…

Designed primarily for English faculty at two-year colleges in California, "Inside English" includes articles on instructional innovations in teaching remedial writing, literature courses, and freshman composition, and on major curricular, administrative, and employment issues in the field. The four issues of volume 12 include the following…