The 33 activities in this book reinforce the rules of written English by providing students with practice in editing a variety of formats. The activities help students develop a basic understanding of the rules of grammar and mechanics (generally taught in grades 8 and up) in context and exercise their critical thinking abilities by identifying…

Providing grade 8 to adult students with practice and reinforcement in editing for capitalization, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, usage, and content, this computer software program contains over 30 written accounts that have been sequenced from easier to more difficult. The program has 3 levels of play: beginning, intermediate, and advanced. At…

To examine the relationship between writers' knowledge of expository frames--conventions accepted by both writers and readers in association with a particular type of discourse--and writing skill, 60 persuasive essays were analyzed for content organization. The essays, evaluated as either above average or average on a high school writing…

This compilation of articles on computer applications in writing instruction deals with the areas of prewriting, editing and grammar, word processing research and applications, and programs for the writing process. It contains the following papers: "Recollections of First-Generation Computer-Assisted Prewriting," by Hugh Burns; "Computer-Based…

The first section of this paper notes that, out of the frustration they feel in lacking a coherent, definitive system for sequencing language instruction, English teachers sometimes turn to the system of grammar teaching used in the past. It then suggests that the English teaching profession is moving through a Romantic age toward a new Classical…

Presents the Wilkinson Scales for writing assessment and shows how one eighth grade student's essay, using the scales, can be evaluated for grammatical and mechanical problems without devaluing the emotion that went into its composition. (JC)

Discusses shifts in language/composition research over the past 20 years as they relate to an emerging consensus about English teaching. (SRT)

For use mainly in the English classroom, the 21 lesson plans in this book emphasize the ROAM method, which integrates Repeating, Observing, Associating, and Memorizing as a means to appreciate the communicative arts. The book explains and shows how students can improve and then master communication skills using a four-step process: (1) COLLECT,…

Basic writers often experience difficulties when trying to articulate ideas in writing that are more specific, systematic, and fully developed than their speech. The writers must learn how to put their thinking into the appropriate forms and expressions necessary to address an academic audience. Noting that the natural working of the human mind…

Teacher evaluation of student writing usually focuses on errors or inadequacies of the written product. One method of changing teacher attitudes is to conduct a writing workshop for department chairpersons to show the benefits and share the techniques of making writing an integral part of their particular disciplines. Such a workshop must address…

Describes a 50-minute session designed to improve students' writing of science laboratory reports. Using an improperly worded description of how to make a peanut butter sandwich, the students work in groups to improve "point of view" and "voice." The changes are then used to create better reports. (TW)

An approach to promote student editing of their own compositions, to be used in intermediate English as a second language classes, is discussed. Although editing or monitoring may not improve the communicative accuracy of a written message, it may give the message a more native-like quality. Monitoring works best on morphemes which are acquired…

This teacher's guide and student workbook are part of a series of content-centered packages of supplemental readings, activities, and methods adapted for secondary students who have disabilities and other students with diverse learning needs. Parallel Alternative Strategies for Students (PASS) materials are designed to help those students succeed…

In this paper, four teacher educators present their ideas about some of the critical induction issues facing graduates of their programs as they begin their careers in secondary schools. A business teacher educator focuses on the ecology of the classroom, structural functions and the political environment, and support networks. An English and…