Considers the relationship of antifoundationalist theory to writing instruction. Questions the basic premises of antifoundationalist theory. Considers ways of relating knowledge to the material world via language, drawing upon the work of Donald Davidson. Explores the use of philosophy in composition theory. (HB)

Surveys international businesses in the United States regarding written communication skills required. Finds that there are major writing responsibilities in various departments within international companies, that the variety of documents produced was similar to domestic businesses, and that the major writing deficiency was mechanics. (SR)

Explores what writing teachers want to know about the ways cultural realities, such as gender, influence literary practices, such as writing autobiographical stories for composition classes. Argues that what they want to know affects how they read gender narratives and that reversing the terms would make a difference in their reading practices.…

Examines basic writers' analyses of essay examination questions. Reveals a number of preference patterns that may be weighed both against general teaching and assessment theory and against the particular constraints of specific contexts. Concludes that basic writers have much to contribute to the writing of essay examination questions and the…

Assesses empirically whether the goals of writing across the curriculum are being met at Oglethorpe University. Finds that the program (incorporating writing-intensive courses across the curriculum and composition classes linked to base courses in the disciplines) has been successful in helping students improve their academic performance within…

Reviews research and theory to illustrate the issues that face language arts educators as they deal with gender issues in the classroom. Suggests that educators have often failed truly to face the complexity of such issues as legitimate and worthy of attention in the classroom. (RS)

Tests the relationship between corporation performance and the readability of annual reports. Shows that annual reports of good performers were easier to read than those of poor performers--good performers used strong writing, unlike poor performers but did not use significantly more jargon or modifiers. (SR)

Finds that children of parents exhibiting higher levels of control focused on spelling and wrote conventional letters. Finds that children of parents demonstrating lower levels of control exhibited higher levels of initiations and verbal input, focused on the content of the letter, and wrote letters that were emergent in nature. (RS)

Examines the effect of news writing instruction on the attitudes and writing performance of students in English composition classes. Finds the only significant difference between treatment and control groups is students' perception of the practicality of the writing instruction they received. (SR)

Examines the accuracy and changes that writers make when rereading their self-generated texts in a clozed condition. Finds that by sixth grade, learners are able to perform cloze tasks with accuracy similar to that of college undergraduates. Suggests that students have difficulty with revising their written work because they remember their writing…

Investigates the preferred patterns for the "organization of experience" among African-American adolescents. Finds that these adolescents report a strong preference for using vernacular-based patterns in academic writing tasks as they get older. Suggests that the organization of expository discourse is affected by cultural preference and…

Presents results of a survey focusing on recruiters' perceptions of technical writers in terms of what information should be included in cover letters and resumes, as well as the roles of interviewees and interviewers in the employment interview. (SR)

Studies the role of four rhetorical elements in generating shared meaning in two different samples of public relations writing. Finds that narratives were particularly important because they provided a comprehensive, compelling framework for belief and thus contributed greatly to the shared meaning created by writers and readers. (SR)

Presents a method that uses computers for writing placement exams, a "structured decision system." Argues that it is more economical and efficient than the process that uses real people as readers. (SR)

Investigates whether more frequent revising throughout composing interferes with the constructive processes of composition of eighth graders. Finds that the effects of word processors interact with individual student differences. Suggests that researchers and writing teachers need to consider these potential differences when prescribing word…