Describes process variables associated with reading maze tasks in macrostructure theory. Researchers provided a multiple-choice extension of cloze to high school readers, eliciting word, sentence, and paragraph replacement. Different maze accuracy patterns emerged for readers of differing proficiency, suggesting mazes are valuable in diagnosing…

Study examined effects of training on positive grader bias toward nicely handwritten essays. Nine typed essays, nine in neat handwriting, and nine in poor handwriting were transcribed into the other modes. Graders trained to avoid bias and three controls graded the essays. Both groups showed significant bias toward good handwriting. (SM)

Suggests that mode of discourse, experiential demand, and gender are significant predictors of writing quality. Finds that narrative writing tasks elicit higher ratings than descriptive or expository; writing tasks requiring personal response (rather than impersonal or outside knowledge) received higher ratings; and quality of writing was more…

Presents findings of a study comparing compositions by beginning writing and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students at a two-year college. Reports similarities in the groups' topic choices, topic sentence use, and expository development. Reveals that ESL students tended to write shorter papers containing more sentence level errors. Discusses…

Investigates how Hispanic bilingual students' knowledge of Spanish vocabulary and ability to identify Spanish-English cognates relate to their comprehension of English expository text. Finds that performance on a multiple-choice test was related to students' ability to recognize cognate relationships, as was the relationship between Spanish…

Invites a reexamination of expository writing and the way it is currently being taught. Considers the relationship of gender to writing modes. Discusses differences between male and female writing styles and whether these differences should inform writing instruction. (HB)

Children's books are an important classroom resource for the study of animals because it is not practical for students to study many animals in their natural habitat. This article is the result of a collaborative research project undertaken by a science methods specialist and a children's literature specialist. We analyzed books about animals that…

This article considers how children and young people conceptualize and construct different types of texts. The initial parts of narrative and expository texts written by grade-schoolers, adolescents, and adults were analyzed, on the assumption that the opening to a piece of discourse serves as a window on the text as a whole. Analysis was…

"English 200: Intermediate Composition" is a program elective for English majors and a writing-intensive elective for nonmajors at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), a comprehensive institution of 11,000 undergraduate and graduate (master's level) students. English 200 is described in the departmental course catalog as a…

We present an expository account of the development of the theory of binary quadratic forms. Beginning with the formulation and proof of the Two-Square Theorem, we show how the study of forms of the type x[squared] + ny[squared] led to the discovery of the Quadratic Reciprocity Law, and how this theorem, along with the concept of reduction relates…

This article presents the author's comments on the article written by Voeltz and Evans (1983) entitled, "Educational Validity: Procedures to Evaluate Outcomes in Programs for Severely Handicapped Learners." In the article, what Voeltz and Evans had done was to identify succinctly several basic and critical elements that were often missing when…

Although fathering has become recognized as a vital element in the lives of young children, few men work in preschool classrooms. Early Childhood Education provides some clues about why people still have a sex role division between the "care" of young children and their "education." This article discusses the historical perspective of why there…

This book can help those who wish to get ahead in the writing field to chart a course for success. The book outlines job prospects, including new ones relating to computer technology and the "information superhighway," along with completely updated sections on salary and opportunities for advancement. Information is provided about more…

This "Manual of Style" is offered as a guide to assist Nebraska State employees in producing quality written communications and in presenting a consistently professional image of government documents. The manual is not designed to be all-inclusive. Sections of the manual discuss formatting documents, memorandums, letters, mailing…

Designed as a criterion-referenced scale to describe levels of writing skill development for basic essay elements, this instrument provides separate six-point rating scales for general impression of the quality of an essay, general competence, coherence, paragraph organization, support for main ideas, and mechanics. Validity, reliability and…