Looks at correctness in writing as a sociolinguistic phenomena that conveys information about the author in terms of his or her capacity to write as a college student and in a form commensurate with academic standards. Concludes that correctness has a sociolinguistic role crucial to the field of basic writing. (TB)

Describes a case study of a basic writing student that was undertaken to examine the ways that low self-confidence can undermine a writer's voice and text. Emphasizes the important role basic writing instructors have in strengthening students' sense of self in addition to their intellectual competence. (MAB)