Asserts that previous research in cohesion has mathematically adjusted the data in ways that assume a linear relation between text length and opportunities for writers to make cohesive ties; but, because cohesion is often redundant, that relation probably is not linear, giving an advantage to writers of longer essays. (MS)

A study examined the effects of gender-linked features of writing upon raters' judgments about writing quality. Sixty-four subjects were interviewed: 32 teachers and 32 freshman composition students. Subjects were asked to evaluate two essays, one written by a woman and one by a man. In interviews, the subjects were asked to: (1) offer suggestions…

To compare the different images of writing that different assessment methods produce, a study examined two formal writing assessments--holistic and the specially developed intra-subject paired comparison method (IPC)--of pre/post university freshman composition-course writing. The samples of writing were unrehearsed, 50 minute, in-class essays.…