This report compares a typical newspaper account of an event with other possible ways of narrating the event. It argues that journlists' beliefs about the appropriate format, style, and content for a news story work in concert to obscure the structure of the story and the relations among subparts, and thus serve to thwart their presumed goal in…

This cumulative writing program for grades 7-12 of the Arlington County Public Schools presents a basic philosophy of composition which assumes that the process of writing consists of "probing deeply into a subject, ordering thought, and placing those thoughts on paper in such a way as to assure meaning." Following the discussions of the three…

This teaching guide on composition for grades 7-12 has been designed as a supplement to aid in encouraging the student to understand the importance of the spoken and written word. Included are sections on (1) research in grammar and usage, with annotated assessments of more than 50 current studies, (2) sentence structure, with lesson plans on…

Two articles on sentence construction and eight on the paragraph comprise this publication. Francis Christensen contributes four articles on (1) the use of loose, cumulative sentences, (2) sentence openers, with illustrations from Hemingway, (3) a generative rhetoric for the paragraph, and (4) the formation of principles of paragraph composition…

Describes the advantages of the Cloze procedure for teaching composition where the context is restricted, i.e., in writing business letters and reports. Advantages include: ease of administration, no marking, immediate knowledge of results, feedback to teacher, adaptable scoring system, flexibility, opportunity for student correction, and…

Discusses problems of writing introductions in light of the theories of H. P. Grice, C. Altieri, K. Burke, and Aristotle, illustrated with scientific writing, rhetorical criticism, and student letters and essays. Approaches the introduction as text both about subject matter and about the intended reader, situation invoked, and writer's own…

Analyzes small-group writing conversation among freshman composition students, identifying the following roles: (1) evaluator, (2) immediate reader, (3) role playing audience, and (4) helpful listener. Presents transcripts of student conversations illustrating these roles, and suggests ways to improve what is said. (JG)

Reports on a study using 126 university freshmen to examine the effects of instruction and practice in a discourse structure reading and writing strategy focusing on main ideas, supporting ideas, and central ideas. Indicates the discourse structure treatment is effective and worthy of further study. (NH)

CraftPlus[R] is an integrated learning package that consists of a K-8 spiraling, core writing curriculum based on explicit Target Skills instruction; professional books; grade-level Curriculum Guides; sixteen workshop and classroom demonstration DVDs; and a CD with student samples and other classroom support materials. The grade-level Curriculum…

This collection of writings is the culmination of students' study in the Worker Education Program's (WEP) workplace literacy classes. The WEP is a joint labor/management project of the Service Employees International Union Local 285 and unionized health care employers in Massachusetts that offers a range of education, job training, and career…

Focusing on the early phases of writing and having special relevance to prekindergarten through grade 2 teachers, this book shows how teachers can use interactive writing to teach a range of foundational literacy skills by sharing the pen with young writers. Skill building includes: letter formation, letter names, phonemic awareness, spelling,…

Provides a theory- and research-based argument for the value of play in literacy instruction in the primary grades and offers examples of the ways teachers can create more playful phonics, read aloud, and expository writing experiences. Urges teachers to become well-versed in the values of play and be willing to educate administrators and parents…

A model of personal and environmental influences on students' valuing of two deep-processing strategies for studying expository texts is described. Questionnaire data from 281 high school science students indicated that students' task orientation and perceptions about teacher expectations were central to students' attitudes. (TJH)

Reviews how background knowledge fits into a model of the expository writing process. Describes a project involving gifted seventh-grade students who increased their background knowledge about their chosen research paper topics in order to overcome some of the difficulty of expository writing. (RS)

Describes a study of journalism students at Pennsylvania State University that investigated how they reacted to the use of computers in their classes, especially the electronic evaluation of written work. Topics addressed include newswriting instruction, including the use of computer labs; handwritten comments versus electronic comments; and…