This piece introduces methods -- textual interventions -- for teaching close reading through film literacy. Editing is the mechanism that creates meaning out of moving images. To unlock a film's visual "secrets," we must break the sequences of editing; move its hinges; reread and revise the cut.

Teenagers love being social, and Web 2.0 technologies have provided students with new avenues to mingle. Although many teachers may view Web 2.0 technologies (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, blogs, wikis, Nings) as a distraction from homework and a potential danger zone in the classroom, it would be negligent for them to ignore the ramifications of…

Maja Wilson and Michael Niemczyk advocate turning away from mandated writing toward learning environments that honor the messy, inner life of the writer. They explain the importance of disorientation in that it unsettles but nurtures the emerging intention of student writers, and they stress the need to return our attention to the heart and center…

An article entitled "Pupils Persevere" covered the front page of Madison's local newspaper in February 2005. Highlighting the plight of four alternative programs in Madison's public school system, the article both angered and pleased students at this school. Although the central point of the front-page article was a plea for a larger physical…

From brainstorming to outlining, rough drafts to peer editing, revision to final copy, all of the tasks involved in the writing process can be accomplished using technology. However, when faced with the research paper, students are often asked to keep track of sources and information on handwritten bibliography note cards. In this article, a…

Presents three versions of a Judith Peraino poem ("Thoughts,""Unnatural," and "Quarreling") to illustrate a writer's editing processes. Includes comments by Peraino on her revision process. (MM)

As online research has become an increasingly standard activity for middle school and high school students, Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org) has simultaneously emerged as the bane of many teachers who include research-focused assignments in their courses. An online encyclopedia that allows anyone to edit its entries, Wikipedia has educators…

Recommends a 15-step cut-and-staple method that helps students improve their writing while learning to manipulate parts of their work in the revision stage of the writing process. Offers secondary suggestions in addition to the 15 steps. (RL)

The critical role played by the teacher feedback on the students' drafts is discussed. The standards-based scales measuring content, organization, and mechanics was used to determine the quality of students' writing and the teachers' feedback commentaries were considered either content level or surface level.

Discusses a "write-back" strategy for use when there is insufficient class time for conferencing with peers or the teacher. Notes that the teacher agrees to respond to students' drafts within 24 hours. Discusses 3 options available to students: (1) write back/respond; (2) edit; and (3) writing back. (RS)

Class activities such as discussing student work in editing group sessions or on the viewing screen can be used successfully to teach revision and ensure polished student writing. (RL)

Describes several classroom exercises designed to make film grammar and narrative structure clear to the student. (RBW)

Deals with organizing, editing, and producing a literary magazine as a class project. Suggests steps to be taken and pitfalls to be avoided. (RBW)

Explains how a teacher and her students started a literary magazine as an extracurricular activity. Notes that, after receiving an overwhelming number of submissions, they put together a product that won recognition at the National Council of Teachers of English contest. Contains statements from six students on various aspects of production. (TB)

Describes how writing instructors can aid students to become self-reflective, independent practitioners who can readily edit and proofread their own writing. Outlines numerous methods for dealing with error patterns. (HB)