Proposes a set of strategies for connecting reading and writing, placing the discussion in the context of other pedagogical approaches designed to exploit the relationship between reading and writing. Explores ways in which students employ the strategies involved in "mining" a text--reconstructing context, inferring or imposing structure, and…

Presents an interview with Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, a prolific author of books for children, young adults, and adults. Her writing process, how reading influences her writing, and ideas for settings and characters are some of the topics covered. A selected list of 32 of her books is included. (EAM)

Responses from 77 of 125 home economics teachers and 105 of 129 agriculture teachers showed students used writing most often for notetaking and copying information, less for analytic or creative thinking. Teachers did not view writing as a whole process and rarely evaluated style and content; there was little use of self-evaluation, peer review,…

Describes how Carolyn Meyer, popular author of adolescent fiction, goes about the business of writing. Shows how important research skills are for the writer of not only nonfiction but fiction as well. Discusses the origins in factual data of several of Meyer's novels. (HB)

Responds to Susan McLeod's "The Affective Domain and the Writing Process: Working Definitions." Suggests and defends an alternate way to define affect, based on the interweaving of affect and cognition. Discusses the "cognitive-affective dance." (PRA)

Presents the text of a speech given by Betsy Byars, a children's author, at the Second Annual Celebration of Children's Literature Conference that provides insights into her writing processes. Topics discussed include editing, time frames, the number of characters, naming characters, writing with authority, and books leading children to other…

Presents a wide-ranging personal and intellectual conversation with Peter Elbow regarding the development of his widely accepted ideas that have shaped the field of modern composition practice, and the on-going development of his philosophy as a teacher. (NH)

Finds that a dysgraphic patient used nonlexical processes to spell many words. Notes significant correlations between the relative frequency of phoneme-grapheme mapping options and the relative frequency of the patient's use of the same written language options. Concludes that syllable structure is involved in the process of converting phonology…

Profiles two children's authors, Marion Dane Bauer and Katherine Paterson, examining the social interactions that have influenced their writing. Looks at the social context of their lives as influences on their writing, including family, friends and acquaintances, literature, research for a novel, editors, the marketplace, and readers. Suggests…

Focus groups of 12 experienced nurses taking a course involving written reflection revealed the following: reflective writing skills need to be taught; the process leads to acceptance of writing as a learning strategy; and reflective writing helps practitioners develop analytical and critical abilities and facilitates personal and professional…

Claims the story of the death of the author carries with it an edifying mission: (1) it gets rid of the mystifying figure of the author; and (2) it points the way toward rehabilitating the notion of agency. Supports Walter Benjamin's position that argues a need to socialize the author as producer. (NH)

Presents an interview with award-winning children's author Lois Lowry, who reflects upon her career as a writer and shares insights about some of her favorite characters, including Anastasia. Considers also the many controversies that have surrounded "The Giver." (SR)

Muses on the power of words and how they shape people's lives. Relates stories from the author's life illustrating this, and relates the author's (a writer of novels for children and young adults) struggles and rewards as she works with words. (SR)

Presents an interview with teacher, "theorist of writing, accomplished rhetorician, and prolific author" Gloria Anzaldua. Comments on going beyond dichotomies of all kinds--allowing for nonbinary identity, for new states of "mestiza" consciousness, and for multiple writing strategies. Addresses her prior experiences with and…

Presents an interview with renowned children's author and illustrator Tomie dePaola. Discusses book ideas, the process of writing, the editor's role, dePaola's art, people who have influenced his artistic vision, fellow illustrators he admires, how published books take on a life of their own, how teachers share his books with kids, and children's…