Background: Researchers interested in quantitative measures of student "success" in writing cannot control completely for contextual factors which are local and site-based (i.e., in context of a specific instructor's writing classroom at a specific institution). (In)ability to control for curriculum in studies of student writing…

To succeed as tomorrow's workers in the knowledge society of the new century--a world characterized by ceaseless change, boundless knowledge and endless doubt, today's business writing students must develop the skills and traits needed to become creative problem-solvers, flexible team-players and risk-taking life-time learners (Bereiter, 2002a).…

Many students who are nonnative speakers of English, yet highly proficient, are placed into basic writing or English as a Second Language courses when they enter college. While these students may have advanced oral English proficiency, their writing frequently suffers from a lack of training in academic writing and commonly contains fragments and…

Describes both principles and use of the critical incident journal, in which the student in a college-level academic service learning program details experiences that change his perspective. The format requires students to describe their roles in the incidents, analyze their own and others' responses to it, and reflect on its impact on self and…

A whole-class exercise used in college composition classes to demonstrate the writing process is described. The class works together to produce a collaborative paper, in rough draft, in one hour. Steps used to produce it include specification of topic, discussion of purpose and audience, prewriting for ideas, development of thesis and outline,…

Encouraging students of English as a foreign language (EFL) to write family oral histories is an excellent way to teach academic writing and spark student interest. Oral history is defined, steps in writing oral histories are outlined, advantages and disadvantages of having undergraduate EFL composition students draft them are examined, and…

Existing and potential applications of the computer to writing instruction are outlined, including choosing and developing a subject, text analysis, simulation, and motivation. Some concerns about computer use in writing instruction are also discussed. (MSE)

For the growing number of faculty requiring extensive student writing in and out of class, improving students' facility with the language is secondary to the idea that writing helps students learn subject matter. The additional communication between student and professor also improves classroom environment. However, empirical evidence is…

In one technical writing course, students write frequently in journals in a variety of exercises, including summarizing articles for other students, responding to topics introduced in class, writing drafts of papers, and clarifying teacher comments. The technique has proven effective in helping students organize thoughts and develop writing…

A grid system designed to help students and other writers exploit familiar forms of discourse for better thinking and composing is outlined. The technique helps link topic and discourse form innovatively, promotes understanding of the contextual character of every writing task, and can encourage students to read in order to master writing…

As illustrated in one college world literature course, videotape recording projects that require students to interpret and perform literary works can encourage them to incorporate their new learning with their own experiences. In the process, history becomes more real and literary works become more understandable and relevant. (MSE)

A discussion of Kenneth Eble's opinions on the role of writing in college instruction reviews his positions on the term paper, writing across the curriculum, collaborative writing, handwritten papers, and learning through writing. (Author/MSE)

A coding system expediting grading of student reports in a marketing class is described. The system uses twelve codes corresponding to constructive criticisms of content and form, allowing the teacher to comment while reading and to read more efficiently. A brief summary can also be included. Most frequent codes are recorded in the gradebook to…

One college teacher's approach to writing instruction focuses on grading to encourage learning, using a marking system that clarifies distinctions between content and mechanics, and removes the punitive aspect of grading. The system is rewarding and motivational for both students and teacher. In addition, the course includes individual…

The purpose of assigning writing that will not be formally graded is to assist students in learning subject matter and to create a classroom context that encourages active learning and interactive teaching. Offers three examples of college-level writing-to-learn assignments used in various disciplines, and some ways teachers can respond to such…