Maintains that writing teachers, and thus also their students, have become obsessed with revision as an end in itself. Suggests that the writer-computer relationship is displacing the writer-audience relationship in the rhetorical situation and may often function to isolate writers. (SR)

Discusses why recent studies of word processing offer contradicting results about computer-assisted revision. Examines how writers' cognitive processes for revision are affected by word processing. Finds that (1) experienced writers define revision to include more global-level changes, whereas students tend to focus on local-level concerns; and…

Argues that low-cost speech synthesizers used to read drafts back to students are potentially valuable aids to revision. Suggests possible classroom applications, and describes the kinds of assistance synthesizers offer writers while still allowing them to diagnose problems and to formulate their own plans for revision. (KEH)

Argues that composition instruction should be based upon a design model mirroring composition's process-based pedagogy, by asking students to plan, transform, evaluate and revise media-rich, hypertextual documents. Comments on an assignment that demonstrates how an integrated composition might be constructed using the design model. Concludes that…

Explores the effect of generative and evaluative computerized writing prompts on the revision efforts of college students enrolled in an elective intermediate composition course. Investigates whether students would revise more extensively and successfully than those with no prompting assistance. Supports the assumption that explicit strategies via…

Presents some general principles about using computers in writing instruction. Describes several categories of computer software, including word processing, pre-writing programs, revision tools, text analysis, and tutorials. Answers several questions commonly asked about computer programs in writing instruction. (MM)

Describes the collaborative process (involving authors, product managers, reviewers, students, and publication department) of the development of a first-year composition textbook that works to integrate word processing with the teaching of writing. Notes factors contributing to successful collaboration. (SR)

Describes the electronic network for interaction (ENFI) used by the author's writing classes and offers a brief example of "the conversation that it has helped student negotiate." Concludes that student discussions mediated by ENFI can enrich writing and literature classes. Presents evidence of how a specific sample of computer-mediated…

Investigates the writing attitudes and text editing skills of students with considerable experience using word-processing systems toward word processing for different phases of the writing process. Finds the students are poor at text editing and typing. Finds that the students prefer paper and pencil for composing first drafts and prefer word…

Argues that writing teachers should seize the initiative and design pedagogically appropriate issues for word-processing technology. Proposes a strategy for designing and employing usage checkers to improve sentence-level fluency. Discusses research on usage checkers, sentence-level revision, and instructor intervention. Offers suggestions on…

Notes that online writing environments can lead basic writers to focus on the instrumental nature of language and technology, construe writing as performance, and see revision as error correction. Explores computer use as an aid in the process of composition in a one-credit computer lab course. Finds that basic writers face significant…

Shows how style and usage checkers can be used in writing exercises that encourage a recursive pattern of student revision. Looks at several instructional design ideas that can create "process-centered" revision software that appears heuristic, contextual, and interactive. (RS)

Argues that the set of style, usage, and spelling check computer programs marketed as "Writer's Workbench" is an effective aid to good writing, giving users the opportunity to edit and revise text depending upon each individual user's purpose. Reports on a survey of teachers' and students' use of "Writer's Workbench" at St.…

Details a functional and qualitative study of interactive oral and computer-mediated communication (CMC)-generated (Norton "Connect") peer response group talk and its influence on revision. Finds the interactive peer groups in both environments talked primarily about their writing; however, the talk had different qualities when students used…

Examines the impact of a pilot project in which undergraduates at Roane State Community College e-mailed drafts of essays to graduate students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock who returned the drafts through e-mail with comments. Finds that students felt the experience was helpful. Discusses benefits of collaboration between two- and…