Presents findings from 18 reviewed studies with regard to attitude and the quality of writing performance. Discusses pedagogy and the problem of defining basic writers. Suggests research directions that can help move educators toward a new pedagogy. (MG)

Examines the cognitive needs of novice writers and the role of word processors in the instruction of those writers. Reviews writing software in the categories of idea organizers, text analyzers, process prompters, communication packages, and artificially intelligent writing environments. Suggests future research areas. (SG)

Reviews literature on specific computer systems and automated text editing and publishing. Concludes that most such research is being carried out by teachers of composition rather than technical writing and that research by most technical writing teachers is applied research designed to solve problems posed by professionals in the field. (HTH)

Provides a review of some of the main issues covered in research on writing, and indicates where this research may be found. Discusses the nature of writing, learning to write, computers and writing, and evaluating written products. (PRA)

Argues that writing teachers should seize the initiative and design pedagogically appropriate issues for word-processing technology. Proposes a strategy for designing and employing usage checkers to improve sentence-level fluency. Discusses research on usage checkers, sentence-level revision, and instructor intervention. Offers suggestions on…

Surveys and critiques what has been written about style checkers and text-editing capabilities of the computer to assist in revising technical writing. Finds the literature inconclusive largely because it is anecdotal and methodologically flawed. Suggests a new research agenda and focus. (KEH)

Reviews studies that deal with word processing and writing. Areas covered include surveys of research on the effects of word processing on writing instruction; students' attitudes toward writing; composing behavior; collaborative writing; revising; and reading and writing, emphasizing screen design. Implications for instruction are then suggested.…

Reviews research (1) concerning the use of word processors in improving children's writing; (2) students' attitudes toward writing; and (3) how improvements in writing are measured. Notes that current research should not be accepted at face value. Argues that teachers should seek ways in which the availability of word processors can help students…

A study examined the subtle impact of word processing (used alone) on the way students approach their writing tasks. Nine elementary school teachers were trained in techniques of naturalistic observation and received a kit containing important guidelines for their observational task, daily log sheets, and journal forms. The teachers then observed…

Intended to categorize the literature on writing with word processors in high school and college classrooms and to determine the quality of the literature as well, this critical review looks at selected works on word processing in English instruction. The first section examines studies and methodologies, while the second section investigates…

Describes a representative sample of recent research on the uses of microcomputer-based word processing in composition instruction. Topics discussed include revision strategies; collaborative writing; student attitudes and motivation; writing quality; implementation of word processing; problems; equity issues; and questions for future research.…