In addition to her work as novelist and critic, Eudora Welty is also a valuable resource for the teaching of composition, particularly through both her theory and example, for she is always writing about writing. Many of Welty's essays on literary theory speak to problems encountered in the college writing class. Perhaps the most accessible text…

Reflecting the general concern about student writing performance, this book is designed to present recent advances in the theory and practice of assessing writing ability to all teachers of writing, as well as writing examiners and administrators. The book explores (1) reconsidering the links between teaching and assessing writing, (2) the…

The teaching activities presented in the four journal columns extracted here focus on understanding and writing poetry. The first column (by Carol Case) presents an introduction to poetry unit containing five preliminary steps designed to help students develop an understanding of poetry. The second column (by Carol Anderson) describes a week of…

A study sought to describe the nature of teacher and student behaviors related to textbook reading assignments at the secondary school level, and to explore the relationship between the amount of time secondary school teachers devoted to specific assignment-related behaviors and students' subsequent performance on the assignments. The sample…

This homework study was undertaken to assess current homework practices in the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) and the extent to which homework is utilized as a tool for effective instruction. Twelve elementary schools, six middle schools, and six high schools divided among low, middle, and high achievement levels were…

The intent of this book is to acquaint teachers with the realistic situations and composing processes that they can use when teaching business, report, and scientific writing. An introductory chapter provides a working definition of technical writing that reflects such essential writing components as recording the experience and having an…

Encompassing materials from 1968 to 1976, this annotated bibliography includes articles in both English and French. The topics covered are: (1) teacher workload in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions; (2) teacher assignment, distribution, and supervisory and extracurricular duties; (3) class size and student-teacher ratio; (4)…

This study had three purposes: to compare the concerns of student teachers in a full semester program with the concerns of those in an eight-week, block program; to apply a factor analytic approach to the classification of student teacher concerns; and to determine the level and direction of changes in concerns as a result of experiences during…

TO SURVEY THE CERTIFICATION STATUS, TEACHING ASSIGNMENT, AND SELECTED JOB-RELATED OPINIONS OF GEORGIA SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS, DATA ON 115 SCHOOLS AND 403 TEACHERS WAS EXTRACTED FROM A RANDOM SAMPLING OF THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS TO THE GEORGIA ACCREDITING COMMISSION. AN UNSTRUCTURED QUESTIONNAIRE ASKING WHICH ASPECTS OF…

The English department of a technical college has developed a writing program that uses real audiences and real situations to better prepare students for the communication requirements of their professions. The exercises for each class are focused on the course content. In an advanced technical communication course, senior design, the students are…

The student materials present lessons about occupations related to environmental control, stationary engineering, and refrigeration. Included are 18 units organized by objective, information, reference, procedure, and assignment. Each lesson involves concrete trade experience where science is applied. Unit titles are: safety and housekeeping,…

One law teacher uses writing assignments in a domestic relations course to teach the law, teach students how to think, and teach how to begin a legal task when it is not clear where to start. Students draft a petition for a dissolution and a letter to a client advising of the likely property settlement. (MSE)

Describes a research paper project for high school students that requires them to incorporate source information into a conversational letter. Builds topic around an imaginary class reunion aboard an ocean liner. Notes that the students internalize the assignment, find a practical reason for using reference books, and actually enjoy the research.…

Describes a writing assignment in which students collected oral histories from Vietnam veterans in their community, edited the transcripts of their interviews, prepared manuscripts for a booklet of ten interviews, and composed cover letters for the final product. Notes positive effects of both the revision work and the primary research. (JG)

Argues that since students often articulate their meaning in speaking better than they can in writing, teachers should improve their awareness of speech and writing connections. Describes such relationships and suggests teaching strategies using speech to improve writing. Covers group composition, reading aloud, transcribing prewriting…