Describes the dominant discourses regarding modern and postmodern selfhood in the light of empirical observation. Speculates about trends in post-postmodern conceptualizations of the self as it might conceivably be lived in the future. (HB)

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…

The way in which the English Department of the University of South Alabama handled the large influx of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students in its freshman writing program is described. The university developed classes especially for ESL students with the assistance of the department's ESL specialist. (13 references) (LB)

Examines how teacher expectations, their empathy, and their own sense of self-efficacy have an effect on their teaching and on their students. Points out some parallels between the affective issues in the classroom (the expectations teachers have of students) and in composition programs (the expectations administrators have for teachers of…

Elementary students with writing problems (n=24) were given summer instruction in handwriting automaticity, spelling strategies, and composing. Participants improved at a faster rate than controls on some measures, and some differences were maintained at six-month follow-up. Discussion of results stresses the importance of affect and motivation as…

Examines the advantages of linking two developmental writing classes to an early American history course, indicating that students were more motivated to do the college-level work and that they received college credit for the course. Describes benefits for both the teachers and students engaged in the project. (20 citations) (MAB)

This article provides college teachers with specific suggestions for improving students' writing styles and techniques. Elements of readability, sentence structure and combination, and overall construction are outlined and stylistic strategies are explained with numerous examples. (MSE)

Claims that the field of rhetoric and composition is currently embroiled in a debate regarding the question of politics in the English classroom. Outlines the current debate and provides analysis. Makes suggestions for teaching rhetorical values by discussing the historical tradition of rhetoric and ethics. (HB)

Discussion of postmodernism and bibliographic instruction in academic libraries is based on a prospectus for an experimental information course at Evergreen State College (Washington). Highlights include structural bibliographic instruction, including a taxonomic model; discourse analysis and bibliographic instruction; composition and…

Discusses an unsuccessful English 101 writing assignment in which students were asked to analyze a Gary Larson cartoon. Examines critically the type of assignment that seeks to address and incorporate the student writer's "local knowledge" of cultural texts, while at the same time containing what counts as knowledge within limited parameters of…

Examines the experiences of fifth grade Latina and African American girls. Argues that one way for young women to begin to fight racism and sexism is to talk about their particular experiences through writing, developing cultural texts to be used for further examination and discussion in the classroom. (24 citations) (MAB)

Suggests that the power of autobiographical writing, as part of teachers' reflection and theorizing, is in its potential for rethinking teaching and schooling from a critical and feminist vantage point. Maintains that an autobiographical approach keeps alive a woman's sense of the problematic nature of all theoretical discourses and works to test…

Describes the philosophical phenomenology of Edmund Husserl and argues that his insights can greatly inform contemporary composition theory. Discusses how phenomenology affects both design and analysis in composition research. (HB)

The conclusion drawn from this study is that whether an English-as-a-Second-Language student writes compositions directly in English or translates from the first language into English makes no substantial qualitative or quantitative difference in the written products. (14 references) (KM)

This book excerpt presents several learning activity ideas related to negotiating. Students review principles of negotiation, write about their experiences negotiating, learn about body language, find historical examples of good negotiators, practice mathematics skills in negotiating spending money for a trip, and examine the impact of humanity's…