Finds that the explicit definition of writing in history is "argumentation" but that the implicit expectation is for narrative. Argues that this apparent contradiction highlights the central function of academic historical discourse: the establishment of an autonomous subject of meaning that speaks from outside history about a distant and…

Studies secondary school classrooms in Great Britain and the United States, revealing that, when teachers apply similar theories to everyday practice, important pedagogical contrasts illustrate the ways in which instruction is organized and in what students produce. Finds that, in classrooms with the most highly involved interactions, students…

Reconsiders how child writers gain control of story forms, the functions of children's story worlds in their real worlds, and the connections between form and function in literacy development. Focuses on one students' writing development to show the gradual evolution of literary perspective. (MG)

Investigates teacher-student conferences' influence on first graders' revision activity and knowledge about revision. Finds the most positive effects occurred for students who began with the least amount of knowledge about revision, who previously were doing the least amount of revision, and who were writing pieces judged among the lowest in…

Describes a study on college level remediation, examining how students classified as remedial are cognitively and socially defined. Analyzes a student's writing sample in the context of her past school experiences, future goals, and attitudes towards literacy. (MM)

Discusses one student's persistence in misunderstanding her teacher's written comments on her papers. Notes that student and teacher bring different sets of information, skills, and values to each written response episode, and that mismatched expectations can occur even with high-achieving students. (SKC)