Two linguistic microstructures (propositions and cohesive devices) were analyzed in story recalls by 11 primary and intermediate level hearing-impaired students. When stories were very simple, students generated mostly complete propositions, however as complexity increased, semantic errors resulted in fewer complete propositions. (Author/DB)

The oral foundations of narrative knowledge are examined as a linkage to literacy acquisition problems. Examined are kinds of narrative knowledge acquired, the nature of story organization, and developmental acquisitions in story recall and generation. The performance patterns of language learning-disabled children on oral story recall and…

Writing samples of 295 primary school children improved in productivity, syntax, and level of abstraction from grade one through three. The writing of learning-disabled children who were matched with average reading ability primary-school children indicated no significant differences in productivity, but problems in syntax (especially morphology),…

The narrative technique can be used as an effective teaching device at the college level. It can enhance students' motivation and provide a cognitive framework for learning. The narrative in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" is discussed. Three modes of illustration and using illustrations in class are described. (MLW)

A native speaker-nonnative speaker conversational adjustment in the relative proportions of information type was examined for its relation to communicative success. Analyses indicated that an increase in the proportion of background detail correlated with comprehension problems for second-language learners. (22 references) (Author/VWL)

Nine junior high school students with learning disabilities received instruction in story grammar elements and character development. Over a two-month period, students significantly increased the amount they wrote and mildly to moderately increased the quality of the stories produced and the number of internal responses and plans of characters.…

Thirteen intermediate-level students with learning disabilities and poor writing ability were taught how to use a prestructured story web to improve their narrative story writing ability. Students improved in the primary target behaviors of planning time and holistic (quality) score but showed inconsistent results for other target behaviors such…

This article on oral narratives in school-age children focuses on the changing demands from home to school use of narratives, developmental changes expected in school-age children, differences between narratives of children with and without language disorders, difficulties inherent in current assessment methods, and alternative assessment and…

This article argues for the inclusion of narrative literature in college social science courses, since such literature can enhance students' understanding of scientific content by elucidating theoretical and empirical concepts with concrete examples. Evidence of the effectiveness of autobiographical literature is presented, and suggestions for…

An Athabaskan narrative, told by a village storyteller to two native students (one with language-learning disability and mild hearing loss) was studied. Analysis of prosodic and structural patterns revealed a spatially rather than temporally organized narrative. The assessment method was felt to be sensitive to interfaces between cultural…

Researchers examined the effect of writing in response to simple and complex pictures on students' narrative writing. Findings indicated that fourth graders use different composing behavior and produce different written products than do sixth graders, writing more coherently/cohesively for complex than for simple tasks. (SM)

Describes a model procedure for integrating direct instruction in story structure with reader response to literature in two settings: traditional storybook read-aloud sessions and nontraditional HyperCard computer sessions. (SR)

Discusses children's pictures termed "visual manifold narratives" (picture books that develop more than one narrative line by including two or more sets of separate pictures on the page). Discusses some uses of the manifold narrative, the reader's role in constructing meaning, subversion of the linear narrative, the metafictionality of manifold…

Focuses on how various literacy narratives portray passages between language worlds. Considers how such passages are relevant to a writing pedagogy. Stresses the relationship between such literacy passages is useful in basic writing contexts. Analyzes two essays written by one student who portrays such a literacy passage. (HB)

Provides an autobiographical account of the author's childhood and adolescence. Examines the experience of coming to literacy. Considers the nature of a white working-class girl's sorties into the larger white middle-class culture. (HB)