Describes a British writing assessment project intended to discern age-specific characteristics of writing and the project's subsequent assessment model. Evaluates samples of two kinds of writing, autobiography and argument, using the model. (HTH)

Describes the evolution of a final examination for a writing course emphasizing the process approach, student conferences, and revision through successive drafts. Discusses student responses to the new exam format and includes one student's exam essay. (HTH)

Compares the written English of Chinese ESL students and native English-speaking Australian students. Analyzes the texts for four semantic components: experiential; interpersonal, textual, and logical. Also analyzes the errors made by both groups. (EKN)

Describes several diagnostic tools used to determine specific problems of students referred to a writing lab, including structured interviews, protocols (asking a student to compose aloud for 15 to 20 minutes on a short topic), and back-pedaling (questioning what a student already knows about a given topic). (AEA)

Discusses several advantages to using a tape recorder in composition instruction, including helping students hear sentence fragments, saving teachers' time, and building student morale. (AEA)

Discusses the design and scoring of the writing proficiency exam conducted at San Francisco State University. Explains the program's counseling system for those students who do not pass the proficiency exam. (HTH)

Examines some of the research on reasons for teachers' diverse reactions to student writing. Also looks at research on student reactions to teacher responses to their writing. (HTH)

Presents an evaluation method designed to help students at each stage of the writing process. The process includes a student self-evaluation scale for the prewriting stage, an analytic scale for descriptive writing used by peer evaluators and the instructor, and an outline of the evaluation strategy. (HTH)

Examines 25 years of research on the effects of teachers' comments on and responses to student writing. Expresses the need for emphasizing writing as process, for using multiple-draft assignments, and for developing student appreciation and skill for revising their works. (RL)

Presents results of a study on how accurately instructors in composition identified various kinds of errors. (RL)

Discusses using portfolios to evaluate the writing, vocabulary, and grammar of students with deafness. Describes the steps for student development and assembly of their portfolios for presentation and review. Also highlights student participation in the assessment of the portfolios and the benefits of portfolios. (CR)

Describes an approach for using portfolio evaluations with developmental students. Indicates that it includes a system for analyzing and practicing five areas of writing: form, function, authorial attitude, method of development, and point of view. Reviews benefits of the approach and provides charts of portfolio activities. (AJL)

Describes the use of computers for grading assignments in beginning and intermediate reporting and writing programs at Texas A&M University. Indicates that students store assignments on a computer network, where the instructor can access them to grade them. Describes techniques for making electronic corrections clear and provides sample…

Examines how conformity to gender or gender expectations can affect evaluation. Finds that women who write either traditional or non-traditional perspectives generally receive the same grade, but a non-traditional perspective is more likely to receive criticism. Finds also that the same is true of men but to a lesser degree. (TB)

Explores three aspects of evaluation: to find value in the content of writing; to promote writing growth (as children learn to evaluate themselves as writers and generate possible goals and strategies to attain them); and to rethink the role of teachers who value themselves as learners. (SR)