Writing processes and writing skills are highly compatible, but only if "writing skills" are defined as genuinely helpful learning strategies rather than prescriptive techniques or isolated forms and rules. Increased skill is a product of meaningful practice, not prescriptive instructions or isolated drills. In the present context, the…

It is argued that college students can learn to improve their writing by being taught a number of basic strategies. A distinction is made between weak and strong strategies, and a number of each are identified and discussed. Classroom instructional procedures supporting improvement of skills are outlined. (Author/MSE)

This paper describes a systematic method for teaching first year law students dialectical skills. An introductory section, Part I, critiques the traditional format for law education noting that at most schools, instruction in substantive courses impart knowledge but not the skills lawyers need in practicing their professions. Part II discusses, in…

In first year college composition classes, teachers often encounter "writing-resisters"--students who enact their disrespect, students who feel they are better off flirting, students who refuse to turn in papers. In addition, there are students for whom writing seems irrelevant. Teachers can articulate to students verbally and in…

This guide discusses the kinds of documents that college faculty are often asked to write, each with a specific format and containing certain kinds of information. The guide examines some of the more important kinds of memos, letters, reports, and proposals; offers many suggestions about writing them effectively; and describes the formats for each…

This law review article provides useful guidance on learning strategies for law students drawing heavily on the literature of educational psychology and learning theory. An introductory section describes the traditional law school approach which has been for professors to inundate students with substantive and procedural rules of law but rarely if…

This study examined the effect of news writing instruction in freshman composition to determine whether the diversity of instruction would result in improved writing performance and attitudes of students. Data were gathered from 71 students at a private Oklahoma college randomly assigned to three control groups (taught by a traditional approach)…

This article attempts to bridge a perceived gap between legal education and education theory as well as the gap between academic counseling and independent learning by examining law school academic support programs. The article argues that a multidisciplinary analysis provides a helpful basis for evaluating academic support programs that address…