Many of today's adolescents are constantly engaging with information through texting, watching videos, listening to music, and even writing papers. Learning to interact properly with information through writing presents a challenge for the students because they are employing all of these applications at once and believe that they are multitasking…

In this article, I demonstrate how the use of reflective writing assignments in first-year composition facilitated students' understanding of their own writing process strategies. I first discuss the theoretical roots from which reflective practice among student writers grows. Next, I employ my students' voices to demonstrate that reflection…

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)

To improve the quality of instruction in composition classes at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, a project incorporating the use of word processors was instituted. The project began in the summer session of 1984 with a regular section of beginning English. Although some students experienced difficulty in learning to use the word processors,…

Describes a busy executive's writing process when writing a report for a board and points out its similarities to writing demanded of students. (EL)

Describes the techniques developed by one instructor for helping students improve their writing, especially creative writing. Outlines how three central writing prompts can be used to inspire student writing and revision. Develops a computer metaphor as a helpful means by which students can access their own "screens." (HB)

A major goal in teaching basic writers is to show them the importance of revision in the writing process, specifically revision for correctness (correcting), for creating content (adding), and for cutting out inessential material (subtracting). Revising for correctness includes varying or limiting the assigned revision tasks, varying the length of…

Describes the relationship between reading and writing, particularly in the way that extensive reading can help writers improve their writing. Discusses four strategies a writing teacher used to revise a basic writing course. Shows how the strategies derive from current research. Describes briefly how the strategies are employed in designing and…

Provides a rationale for allowing students to write in journals that the teacher will never read. Suggests requiring students to write responses to their journal writing at the end of the semester, which would be shared with the teacher and the rest of the class. Includes a sample response. (HTH)

Provides writing exercises which encourage the use of sense details to let the reader know what is in the writer's mind. Provides writing exercises for setting a mood, describing places in fiction, adding metaphors, and describing people. (MG)

Good writing is seen as good thinking--thinking carefully, not just grasping for the opinion nearest at hand, and clearly. Its primary purpose is to communicate with the reader. Good writing can be learned--to think honestly, to say things clearly, to avoid pomposity, and to consider the reader. (MLW)

Presents an exercise that guides basic writing students in their choices, requiring them to make evaluative annotations of each sentence in the draft of a paragraph. Includes (1) a set of questions that incorporate criteria for a sound paragraph and serve heuristically for the revision of the draft, and (2) a student example of the procedure. (HTH)

Claims that computer-assisted instruction can be a feasible option for the basic writing classroom. Argues that developmental writers must have the opportunity to use computers to enhance the writing process and improve critical thinking. Advocates using computers to go beyond sentence-level writing errors. (HB)

Learning disabled writers are unable to incorporate text structures to plan their writing; they stop writing before their point is stated; their writing includes redundancies, irrelevancies, and many mechanical and spelling problems. Studies indicate that learning disabled writers use simplistic and/or ineffective planning strategies while…

Describes the behaviors and attitudes 49 high school junior English students demonstrated and the features that existed in their writing when they wrote for natural purposes (such as writing letters, biographies, and pamphlets). (EL)