In this paper we report a case study of two first-year students at a university in Hong Kong doing the same writing assignment that required the use of sources. We explore the students' understanding of plagiarism, their strategies for composing, the similarity between their texts and source texts, and the lecturer's assessment of their work. The…

Proposes that writing instruction at the intermediate level of second language study should be kept to a minimum. Gives examples of the kinds of brief derivative exercises that are most beneficial. (EKN)

It is argued that most foreign language writing assignments are without meaningful content or context for the student, and directions given by the teacher provide little guidance or impetus for personal investment in the project. Several writing exercises emphasizing these aspects of composition, and criteria for evaluation, are offered. (MSE)

Analysis of the actual writing assignments and essay tests given to college students showed that tests and assignments were mostly highly controlled and fell into seven categories, including summary of/reaction to reading, comma-annotated bibliography, and research project. Implications for creating tasks in the English for Academic Purposes…

In an effort to encourage the integration of writing as a communicative act in the second language classroom, information is presented about the purposes of writing in the second language classroom, types of writing tasks, proficiency levels in writing, writing activities, and writing evaluation. (Author/CB)

This discussion of strategies for improving writing evaluation in a course in English as a Second Language begins with a brief review of relevant research and then offers concrete suggestions for improvement in testing. The suggestions are in the form of five general considerations rather than specific test-writing techniques. They include the…

A method is described for teaching writing of English as a second language that emphasizes exposure to genuine, useful language and opportunities to use it. Sample exercises are provided that illustrate seven stages of writing: free writing, analysis, presentation, controlled writing, guided writing, free writing, and modelling. (MSE)

An instructional module designed to help prepare college-level teaching assistants (TAs) for their duties in second language instruction is presented. The module's focus is on second language writing instruction. It first considers the role that writing plays in the teacher's life and the lives of the students, the teacher's attitudes toward…

The guide, intended as working materials for a teacher workshop, introduces second language teachers to principles and practices of student dialogue journal writing. It begins by outlining nine principles to follow concerning second language writing at all instructional levels. It then offers two sample journal entries with spaces for teachers to…

A teacher of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to adults in a non-English-speaking country describes use of classroom writing conferences to improve student language use and introduce writing into the communicative syllabus. The approach is based on a conference format and focuses on self-directed inquiry. Students are provided with monolingual…

The articles contained in this volume on second language writing evaluation focus on the evaluation of academic English learned as a second language (ESL). Essays include: "Assessment by Misconception: Cultural Influences and Intellectual Traditions" (Brigid Ballard, John Clanchy); "Reading the World Differently: A Cross-Cultural Approach to…

The two issues of this journal contain articles about aspects of English teaching and samples of student work. The Fall 1995 issue contains: "'I Want More Books Like It': Implementing a Reading Workshop in an Urban Classroom with At-Risk Students" (Rebecca Joseph); "Service Learning Prompt for the Maryland Writing Test" (Kathy…