Though reports of pedagogic materials production point to the range of compromises authors make when writing language teaching textbooks, many accounts are retrospective in nature. This study sought to expand the research perspective by interrogating writing episodes via qualitative content analysis to discover how two expert ELT (English language…

According to the results of a survey, the women's movement has made editors more conscious of and responsive to the problems of women in a sexist society. The uncertainty of the market for composition texts has made them acutely aware of the needs and desires of those who choose the texts. (Author/NL)

The author describes in personal terms the genesis of his introductory psychology text, Understanding Human Behavior. (Author)

In order to obtain a publishing contract, an author must usually submit a prospectus of the text which includes a description of the proposed text, an annotated table of contents, and sample chapters. (JN)

Reports a study to assess the professional productivity of the primary and secondary authors of the 10 available elementary science textbook series as 1 criterion in evaluating textbooks for adoption by school districts. Professional productivity based on presentations at professional meetings and articles published in professional journals was…

Metadiscourse, or an author's presence in a text, and its benefits for improving textbooks and children's learning and attitudes are explored in this paper. Through a historical review, the paper reveals that using the interpersonal voice and the author's commentary are legitimate rhetorical devices. Interviews with prominent contemporary…

This article looks at why educational publishers produce materials for children with a limited regard for children's interests. (CD)

Argues that the investigation of the life and personality of textbook authors is one approach by which it is possible to analyze school life in the past. The French text author Lacroix is considered. (PK)

This "Writers' Handbook" was prepared in response to the many requests for "a book that tells how to write textbooks and other educational materials for schools." These requests have come from educators of other countries as well as from the United States. The authors believe that the handbook holds valuable information and suggestions for heads…