"E-rater" is an operational automated essay scoring application that combines several natural language processing (NLP) tools for the purpose of identifying linguistic features in essay responses to assess the quality of the text. The application currently identifies a variety of syntactic, discourse, and topical analysis features. Two…

A satirical letter from an experienced teacher to a former student, congratulating him on his first teaching assignment and offering sagacious advice. (JB)

A review of The University and Revolution (Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N. J., 1969) by Gary R. Weaver and James H. Weaver, editors. (DB)

By classifying and analyzing actual disputes in film criticism, the author considers the following questions: Are there connections between film theory and film criticism? If so, which are healthy and which are diseased? If not, what alternative healthy function might film theory have? (Author/SJL)

Discusses why the unit of discourse for literary criticism is the essay. (DD)

Reviews methods being developed for mass deacidification of books to prevent deterioration of paper. The use of diethyl zinc, liquified gas, and morpholine, and the advantages, disadvantages, and cost of each are considered. A 26-item bibliography is included. (JD)

The article focuses on the relationship between the primary process and the creative process, especially as it relates to the fields of wit and poetry. Examples of identification based on similarity in schizophrenics are presented. (CL)

Teachers (n=336) evaluated three samples of written work of differing quality. The sequence of samples was rotated. Good work was assessed more favorably when it followed lower quality work than when it preceded it. Two samples preceding work of contrasting quality produced greater bias than a single sample. (SK)

Illuminates the critical theory project, with themes permeating the theoretical constructions of Frankfurt (Germany). Debates the predominance of positivism in the production of knowledge. Speculates that "the essay as form" constitutes itself as a representation of the concept of the Enlightenment. Concludes with a dialogue between…

A high school teacher and former student use the student's writing to discuss identity construction and how it is connected to literacy. They describe literacy practices as existential acts through which they seek to ascribe purpose and meaning. (Contains 17 references.) (SK)

This study was designed to address two frequent criticisms of the SAT essay--that essay length is the best predictor of scores, and that there is an advantage in using more "sophisticated" examples as opposed to personal experience. The study was based on 2,820 essays from the first three administrations of the new SAT. Each essay was…

One of the challenges facing Australia is the ageing of the population. Of major concern, especially to government, is that the dependency ratio--a measure of the burden that economically active persons carry by supporting dependent persons--will increase significantly unless older people keep working or immigration is used to change the…

The urban inclusive high school classroom is a challenge for both students with disabilities and their teachers. Pressure is intensified when a year long course of study ends in a mandated state examination in English Language Arts, required for student graduation. This article highlights the experiences of two teachers in a New York City…