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…

Examines how students view their teachers' comments on their writing assignments. Reports the results of a survey on how students view comments. Offers suggestions for what teachers can do to create a shared context for commentary. (PRA)

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…

Describes a classroom study which found that mixed-sex collaborative writing pairs can be used effectively in the classroom to help students bridge the gender gap in their own writing. (SR)

Asks whether the common practice that has been termed "Circle Time" and its variations are a useful classroom practice. Analyzes the ways teachers employ circle time. Critiques the practice of circle time. Argues that the quality of learning is dependent on the quality of reflection by teachers concerning their practice, not on gimmicks.…

Discusses the nature of English studies at the college level. Focuses on the experience of one student in her first term at a university. Analyzes this student's essay writing activities. Raises fundamental questions about the study of literature. (HB)

Thirty-two theoretically grounded reports of research and discussions of central issues in second and foreign language writing and writing instruction are presented in this annotated bibliography. The items, all dated 1992-93, are categorized as follows: writers; processes; texts; readers; context; instruction; reading and writing; and general.…

Investigates the relationships among self-confidence about writing, expected outcomes, writing apprehension, general self-confidence, and writing performance over one semester. Finds that students' beliefs about their own composition skills and the preperformance measure were the only significant predictors. (SR)

Investigates students' evaluations of their best and worst papers. Finds that: researching and writing processes dominated evaluations; grades did not play a significant role in their judgment; interest in the topic was a factor in their evaluations; and their written texts lost impact by the time of the retrospective evaluation. (RS)

Surveys nonnative students in upper-division technical writing courses to assess their opinions about how their native cultures affected their ability to communicate in English. Finds that cultural influence was significant, as was language interference. Suggests that teachers of nonnative students and professionals should design instruction to…

Reports findings from a think-aloud protocol study of reading, writing, and persuasive processes in legal discourse during an actual appellate court case. Discusses three aspects of advocates' use of persuasive techniques in written appeal briefs. Focuses on specific persuasive techniques utilized by attorneys. (HB)

Explores the reasons why speech and writing are taught independently of each other. Discusses some advantages of integrating the two curricula. Offers options for organizing courses. Provides examples of programs and resources. Describes a survey of writing program administrators regarding whether they integrate speech and writing curricula. (PRA)

Asserts that feminist pedagogy is compatible in many ways with current composition theory. Shows how feminist pedagogy can offer an alternative perspective on the problems of evaluating student text. Includes results of the author's research into the evaluation process. (PRA)

Compares students' solutions to a business writing problem-solving assignment to their personal beliefs about government regulation of business. Finds that although most students do not favor government intervention, they turned to the government when finding solutions to business problems. Suggests that this paradox is a result of students'…

Questions whether the benefits of separating basic writers into homogeneous classes continue to outweigh the disadvantages. Proposes that teachers gather data about success rates of current basic writing courses (using "mainstreamed" volunteer basic writers) and revise first-year composition courses to ensure they will respond to a wider range of…