Examines structuralist, phenomenological, and constructivist views of discourse and applies them to rhetorical criticism. Structuralist criticism analyzes elements of the text and their interrelationships; phenomenological criticism stresses the influence of the situation on discourse; and constructivist criticism incorporates both methods,…

Compares 15 campaign speeches on methods of presentation. Results indicate that the dual responsibilities of appearing to speak out decisively and intelligently on issues, while focusing on images to which voters will respond favorably, are met by speeches with ambiguous content but rhetorical correlates of specificity and decisiveness. (JMF)

Presents activities dealing with components of literature, literary devices, and persuasive material. (DD)

The other inflation is grade inflation, the label affixed to the indisputable rise in the grade-point averages of undergraduates at public and private, elite and community colleges and universities across the country. The effects of grade inflation upon academic performance were assessed. (Author/RK)

Curricular change requires fundamental changes in school organization to be effective. Argues that this can be accomplished "without undue strain and anxiety for the staff". (Author/RK)

Explores the idea of a specially skilled professionalism among teachers of young children: to what extent has the ideal become reality? (Author/RK)

Examines women's political persuading between 1964 and 1984. Draws data from existing surveys done during Presidential election campaigns. Finds women's political persuading increased significantly during these years but lagged behind men's. Explores antecedents of women's political persuading represented in two constructs, access and competence.…

Offers examples of activities for teaching English language arts that teach students to think critically, solve problems, and work collaboratively, while exploring problems that are complex and interesting but are open to a variety of solutions. Describes an activity used for teaching argument and persuasive writing, and activities for teaching…

Describes a project for professional writing classes that teaches effective persuasive writing, as teams of students research local nonprofit or campus service organizations, design projects to address their groups' main needs, and write solicitation letters for donations or volunteers. Discusses potential problems and how students benefit. (SR)

Identifies three types of translation blunders found in international business communication: those due to carelessness, those due to words having multiple meanings, and those due to idioms. A number of mistakes from actual advertising mistranslations are included as examples. (Author/CK)

Examines four types of evidence of literacy trends and performance among schools and students: national literacy data; then-and-now studies; Scholastic Aptitude Test trends; and test renorming studies, particularly those pertaining to the 1970s. Argues that both sides of the debate concerning the quality of education have misrepresented evidence…

Seeks to uncover the historical roots within English Romanticism of Peter Elbow's thinking in order to show the depth and complexity of his assumptions about writing. Implicitly refutes charges questioning the intellectual credibility of Elbow's work. (TB)

Examines task-based, synchronous computer-mediated communication (CMC) among intermediate learners of English. Explores whether learners engage in negotiated interaction when they encounter new lexical items, whether task type has an effect on the amount of negotiation that transpires, and how this CMC negotiation compares to that noted in the…

Surveys of adolescents examined the link between sports promotion and advertising of alcohol and tobacco and teen smoking and drinking behaviors. Data analysis found an association between exposure to sporting events and cigarette use and beer consumption. Watching stock car racing was related to cigarette use; football and basketball to beer use.…