This preliminary study, focusing only on writing analysis, is part of a larger longitudinal study that will be used to develop an effective instrument to predict college retention. The methodology arose from a psychological model created by John Bean (2001) to ascertain "academic fit" in the college setting and a psycholinguistic model developed…

This book guides education professionals through the basics of the writing process, empowering them with the tools to create and enhance their own professional submissions and writings. It uses a conversational tone to convey and outline specific writing strategies for contributions to research journals, articles, op-ed pieces, manuscripts,…

Describes the process approach to teaching writing and offers tips to teachers for increasing students' knowledge and understanding. (seven references) (LMI)

The drafts produced by 2 groups of college students, a total of 1,089, during an examination in cognitive psychology were analyzed. Results show that only a limited number of students used an efficient (organized) drafting strategy, even though this is generally associated with the highest examination scores. (SLD)

Explains how the reading of young adult fiction can help young adults to write better. Presents exercises in writing good first lines; using detail; using simile and metaphor; and sharing significant insights. Provides excerpts from young adult fiction. (TB)

A 3-year study involving 15 teachers and 15 students with visual impairments (grades K-4) evaluated the impact of the Mountbatten Brailler when used in a literacy instruction project. Teachers reported students were more motivated to write when they used the Mountbatten Brailler than when using the Perkins Brailler. (Contains 3 references.) (CR)

Discusses problems experienced during the prewriting phase of a sixth grade writing lesson, observations of the lesson, and advice from leading educators on how to initiate an effective writing lesson. Presents an account of one writing lesson that typifies writing lessons that the author has observed during the evaluation of student teachers. (SG)

Offers two expository writing exercises that, machinelike, move from word to idea to arrive at rich and evocative connections. Shows how the first exercise, the four-column association, produces a free-form paragraph or poem following a freewriting warmup. Uses the term "placket" to describe the second exercise, a poem that has a set of…

Describes Subject-Attitude-Development (SAD) mapping, a technique for helping developmental reading students focus on information relevant to an author's thesis and recognize relationships between the thesis, main ideas, and supporting details. Discusses strategies for implementing SAD maps and student reactions to the technique. Includes sample…

Describes six basic formats that can be used to teach reading in the elementary classroom: shared reading, read-aloud, guided reading, Readers Theatre, sustained silent reading, and literature circles. Includes descriptions of the focus of instruction, suggestions for implementation strategies, and examples of materials that could be utilized.…

Proposes that general education curricula often have difficulty remaining faithful to goals of student empowerment. Provides case study of first year composition (FYC). Suggests that a strong commitment to reflection and revision of programs will create curricula that are more questioning and less comfortable with their own assumptions. Proposes…

Questions pedagogical frameworks that perpetuate semantic properties and representations of meanings that no longer hold true in changing classroom realities. Proposes the need for learning new languages, for speaking through a more dialogical, metonymic back and forth movement in the discourse of classrooms. (PM)

Discusses the purpose and effects of collaborative writing in proposal development projects. Suggests how collaboration serves the larger social functions of the modern corporation. Discusses how the circumstances of proposal development affect collaboration. Describes storyboarding--a common and often highly effective tool for fostering…

Describes a collaborative classroom process that helps build cohesion among group members by placing all students into the roles of writer, reader, editor, and evaluator. Presents six teaching tips for the process. (RS)

Argues that the five-paragraph-essay structure is a valuable teaching tool but cautions that composition teachers need to ensure that their students don't perceive it as an end in itself. Illustrates how students can learn the principles of effective composition and apply them to any writing task by making necessary modifications. (KEH)