Writing involves a complex web of deliberations as writers make specific choices from their repertoire of grammatical resources. However, curriculum and assessment criteria that favour top-down prescriptions of writing marginalise the agency of the writer (Gardner, 2012). Conversely, we posit a bottom-up process that integrates grammar teaching…

Hattie and Timperley's (2007) model of effective feedback, widely used in teacher professional development, provides an easily-applied framework for thinking about the information contained in feedback. However, the model simplifies a complex phenomenon shaped in practice by interpersonal, disciplinary and institutional aspects. Examining the…

The ancient literary form of commonplace books offers rich possibilities to students and teachers of English in Australian schools in the 21st century. By briefly tracing early uses of commonplace books and examining contemporary approaches to the teaching of writing, this paper re-imagines the 15th century commonplace book as a personal learning…

The production of writing occupies a significant place in English classrooms; it also underpins current assessment regimes. While curriculum policies emphasise the need for students to become proficient writers, scant attention has been given to the position of teachers as writers and the impact that such an omission may have on writing pedagogy.…

Presents a new model of the writing process, adding technic to the traditional elements of writer, subject, and audience. Offers 20 questions, based on the dynamics of the new model, to help students write and teachers respond. (RL)

Presents material from two first-year teachers' case writings and discussions about teaching writing which resulted in a "linguistic event," an opportunity to construct new knowledge about teaching. Claims the teachers were able to reflect on concerns in depth, validate each other's practice, and explore the value of talking and writing…

Describes one aspect of Queensland University's English teacher education program--the writing programme. Participating in the writing unit, the trainee teacher experiences the pangs and joys of being a writer, while developing skills as a teacher of writing and as a teacher of English. (HOD)

Outlines the achievements and the difficulties that occurred in the first year of a research project on the development of writing abilities in the senior years of western Australian high schools. (RL)