Careful use of analogy can create interesting and sharp writing. Some of the problems are that an analogy imposes an attitude, there must be a counterpart, details may or may not correspond point-for-point, and an analogy starts in difference and is then brought into the realm of likeness. (TJ)

Suggests writing exercises which involve composing the solution to a mystery. (JM)

Describes rewriting examples of good writing into "ordinary" writing, to identify what elements of style made the original version so effective. (HTH)

Describes a writing exercise and discussion to help students broaden their concept of what constitutes comedy so that they may better appreciate Moliere's "The Misanthrope." (HTH)

Suggests using poetry's short short forms for a methodical and rapid series of writing assignments that emphasize both careful writing at the sentence level and overall planning and respect for form. (HTH)

Presents a method for helping students learn to evaluate data, draw conclusions, and state a most probable hypothesis in writing essays. (TJ)

Describes a writing exercise for use in a remedial writing laboratory. (RB)

Discusses the researched article as an alternative to the research paper and provides guidelines for students to follow in writing a query letter which sells the idea for the article. (RB)

Exercises in sketching a scene of words, focusing, describing elemental structure (using comparison, contrast, analogy, and antithesis), and sketching and writing about still-life arrangements can heighten students' awareness of sense impressions and lead to improved writing skills. (TJ)

Describes a writing exercise in which students write letters to a variety of people. (TJ)

Describes an exercise that encourages writing by students. Each student is given a limited amount of time to write about anything that comes to mind, the papers are redistributed and a second student adds to what has been written, a third student adds more, and a fourth student writes a conclusion. (TJ)

Suggests teaching characterization in literature classes by having students write an advertisement similar to the Dewar's scotch advertisement, based on each of the characters in the novel "Ordinary People." Examples are included. (HTH)

Suggests a method for helping students learn to revise their papers by carrying out a series of assigned tasks either individually or in groups. (TJ)

Describes an exercise for basic writers which encompasses reading, listening, and writing. Finds that Edgar Allan Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart" has an effective vocabulary, a first-person conversational tone for the "mad" voice, and a second-person direct address that makes it easy to follow. Notes that inexperienced readers can…