A seminar was held in England in 1981 to come up with a systematic, detailed analysis of argument and with suggestions on how it should be taught on the secondary level. Within a framework of questions designed to distinguish types and purposes of argument, members of the seminar analyzed four essays paragraph by paragraph. Their comments…

Provides a sequence of assignments, and the theory upon which they are based, for composition courses that include film. Includes ordering information and an abstract for the film "Silent Snow, Secret Snow," upon which the assignments are based. (TJ)

This paper initially presents the results of several studies concerning the kind of writing assigned by social studies teachers and the kind of writing assigned by social studies textbooks. The second part of this paper describes several things social studies teachers using textbook writing assignments might do to clarify for students what is…

This paper initially presents the results of several studies concerning what kind of writing mathematics teachers assign and what kind of writing mathematics textbooks assign. By far, report-research was the most popular type of writing assigned in the surveyed textbooks. The types of reports students were asked to write include biography,…

The focus in this issue of the Illinois English Bulletin is on student writing in the high school and college years. The lead article reports on a University of Illinois committee on the use of English, which reviewed both the writing abilities of incoming freshmen and the provisions for further instruction in writing throughout the undergraduate…

An argument for using various letter writing assignments to help students develop their writing voices. (RL)

Describes the standard student contribution to the literary magazine and offers substitute writing assignments. (CRH)

This document presents the results of a survey concerning the percentage of mathematics, science, and social studies teachers who assign writing to their students and the percentage of textbooks in these three content areas which include writing assignments. Some of the findings were that mathematics and science teachers favor reporting over…

This paper initially presents the results of several studies concerning what kind of writing science teachers assign and what kind of writing science textbooks assign. By far, reporting was the most popular type of writing assigned in the surveyed textbooks, although other types of writing were in evidence. Exposition tended to take three forms:…

Focuses on the writing instruction which the 1977 NCTE Achievement Award- winning students had received, concluding that writing frequency, type of assigned writing topics, and class size affect writing instruction and that successful writers are dedicated readers. (DD)

Study strategies used to assist mildly handicapped students become more actively engaged and successful in gaining and responding to information in content area classes are described. They include using advance organizers, summarizing/paraphrasing what is read, enhancing listening skills, and improving the organization, appearance, and accuracy of…

Explains how the use of parody can improve students' writing and add more zest, zing, and vigor to their writing style. (HOD)

Describes and illustrates a writing assignment in which students assume the role and the voice of someone they perceive as different from themselves, requiring attention to appropriate--not necessarily "correct"--language styles. (RL)

This sophomore English curriculum guide for the secondary school provides (1) behavioral objectives, written work assignments, directions and a list of book selections for varying levels of prose literature and American literature; (2) assignment sheets for a freshman skills review and for compositions using analogy, explanation of a process,…

Describes research, practice, and resources for giving students writing activities in several rhetorical contexts and to various audiences. (RL)