Examines the process of writing and concludes that a teacher's affirmation and encouragement is needed for a student to feel his or her work has validity. (DF)

At a summer program designed to create a purpose for writing, 18 children moved from everyday language to diction appropriate to monks experiencing a significant moment in communal life. Scribes copied the children's words in a careful italic hand, providing pressure for even more precise diction and dignity of language. (MT)

Examines the relationship between editors and writers and cites traits of a good editor, such as knowing language and knowing people and not giving writers more suggestions in one sitting than they can handle. (DF)

Examines the steps in the process of editing a manuscript and discusses the positive aspects of being an editor, such as being able to meet a wide variety of people and to learn about a range of subjects. (DF)

Proofreading can be tedious and boring, especially if it is approached as correcting errors. But proofreading is not correcting errors so much as reviewing the paper for ideas and for readability. Sometimes classmates can help a student proofread--they can help assess the draft, propose some alternative solutions, and make some choices. This paper…

Surveys sources of news stories written by students in a media writing course concerning issues such as accuracy of facts, correct information, and use of direct quotes. Notes that having news sources respond to students' stories helps them to understand the importance of accuracy in writing and the implications of working with sources. (PA)

Argues that the poetry of war is often compressed and powerful and that students of writing and literature can learn from these poets that restraint creates resonance. Discusses war poems with emphatic conclusions; war poems that are short and direct; and teaching the dynamics of brevity through a variety of activities using war poems and war…

Notes that literature full of rich, specific vocabulary is the best source for teaching good writing. Briefly lists mini lessons that focus on encouraging the use of interesting words. (SR)

Offers a conceptual framework for building language awareness through the reading of poetry, encouraging children to reflect on language in interesting and powerful ways. Provides an instructional model for constructing literature-based experiences in the classroom. (SR)

The article describes a student peer-evaluation activity in writing which not only saves the teacher's grading time and energy but also increases students' creativity and style while they learn to edit their work. (CB)

Finds that the use of writing models influences the content and organization of students' research texts. Shows that seeing a proposition in the models increased the likelihood that students would include it in their texts. Finds no systematic benefits from labeling the models or from providing only good models. (SR)

Describes a model for content writing called "Writing as Transformation," which focuses on three facets of writing to learn: writing as intuition, writing as metacognition, and writing as change agent. (SR)

Describes how, in a unit on Russia's history, culture, and future, eight high school students with writing difficulties presented their work to small student groups, a teacher alone, one student, and finally themselves via videotape. Notes that students' reactions to these audience options show how student writers can develop a sensitivity to…

Argues for using the metaphor of the contract as a principal strategy for teaching students how to craft introductions. (SR)

Presents an assignment that introduces business communication students to an array of writing reference works. Appends a list of 24 suggested reference works for the assignment. (SR)