The relationship between cultural diversity, linguistic diversity, and composition has been a topic that has received much attention in rhetoric and composition's disciplinary conversations, even if current pedagogical practices used to address these matters lag behind in progress. In this essay, the author focuses on how to address linguistic…

In this article, the authors discuss what works for them in their first-year composition classes. In order to promote critical thinking and goal setting within her developmental writing and first-year composition classes, Susan Plachta begins their first class session by completing the standard introductions and syllabus discussions and finishes…

This article describes a pilot study that suggests writing-faculty workload may affect the pedagogical focus and rhetorical effectiveness of written response to students' essays. To study the relationship between writing-faculty workload and comments that faculty write on students' essays, the author sent an eleven-question survey to 30 English…

Describes an "improvement gauge": a cumulative chart providing a numerical analytic comparison of student and teacher evaluations for every graded writing assignment. Maintains that its use improves teacher effectiveness, grading efficiency, student/teacher conference productivity, and student reflection on writing strengths and weaknesses. (SR)

Offers heresies about reading, grading, and commenting on student papers which may relieve teachers from constant paper grading. Recommends using peer audiences, deemphasizing grading, expanding and elaborating the stages of the composing process, and modeling effective writing behaviors for students. (RAE)

Discusses the problems that teachers face in dealing with developmental writers, including (1) why they are academically disadvantaged, (2) where to begin instruction, (3) how to determine assignments, and (4) how to evaluate their progress. (JD)

Makes observations about how professional poets compose. Argues for the use of primary trait scoring and an interactive teaching method to guide students through revision while treating each poem as a unique piece of writing. Demonstrates how primary trait scoring and individual conferences assisted a student in revising his poems. (RS)

Explores the concept of peer writing groups by reviewing research and offering a plan for preparing, training, monitoring, and evaluating the peer writing group. (SD)

Addresses common difficulties in the marking and correction of English-as-a-Second-Language student compositions. Presents possible solutions, discussing what works in the author's ESL classes, and suggests common teaching habits to avoid with ESL students. (SR)

A survey of recent texts affirms there is no single, correct way to respond to student writing. The latest discussion reveals variations in what students want, systems instructors use to respond, and types of comments instructors may write.

Presents teaching tips for (1) selecting research paper topics; (2) introducing short story elements; (3) using annual reports in writing classes; (4) using a multigrade approach to evaluate writing; and (5) improving student paragraphing. (RS)

Discusses some methods educators can use to ensure that grading supports and enhances learning. Suggests ways to grade written work that will enhance learning. Notes that teachers benefit from collaborative grading, primarily as a result of discussing grading practices with colleagues and sharing ideas about effective methods. Presents guidelines…

Suggests that teachers use a tape recorder, with students resubmitting an erased cassette tape with each composition, for recording responses to written work as an alternative to the less instructive comments written in the margin of a paper. (HTH)

Describes the writing of the formal technical report as a project for students in technical writing courses. Includes grading criteria for such a report. (HTH)

Describes teaching methods and techniques found to be useful by practicing teachers, including tips for spelling instruction, grading essays, and for fostering writing skills among student writers. (HB)