A high school teacher from Willowdale, Ontario, Canada, describes a record keeping system used by history teachers to evaluate their students' writing skills. The data recorded by the system can be used in a variety of ways to improve student performance. (Author/RM)

Compares technological advancements in fishing nets and in the use of computers and information networks in education. Discusses the need for lifelong learning for survival in a rapidly changing world. Cautions that, just as technology has overwhelmed ecological good sense in the fishing industry, an omnipresent network of increasingly powerful…

The drafts produced by 2 groups of college students, a total of 1,089, during an examination in cognitive psychology were analyzed. Results show that only a limited number of students used an efficient (organized) drafting strategy, even though this is generally associated with the highest examination scores. (SLD)

Examines the ways in which composition essay anthologies shape and reflect the beliefs and teaching approaches of composition teachers. Focuses on how anthologies treat a widely reproduced essay, E.B. White's "Once More to the Lake." (TB)

Explores the purpose that progressive educational writing in the form of print publication is meant to serve and how it is meant to accomplish its goals. The paper challenges educators to rethink the nature of written discourse, in particular the notion of writing as the presentation of research. (SM)

Examines 9th grade students' explanations of chemical reactions using two forms of open-ended essay questions, those providing students with key terms to be used as "anchors" on which to base their essay, and those that do not provide terms. Results indicate that more misunderstandings were elicited by the use of key terms as compared to…

Describes how a group of intermediate learners of English were guided through the process of producing their first academic essays in English. The approach applied the concept of scaffolding to the academic writing process by proving flexible support for the learners throughout the writing of their essays. (Author/VWL)

Explores rhetorical specification in writing tasks by examining responses to a poorly constructed task used in large-scale placement testing at a major university. Argues that fictional scenarios (writing prompts which give student writers a role to play) can be effective, provided that the roles created are reasonable ones for students to adopt.…

Argues that a theory-based explanation is needed to understand the nature and reasons for students' problems with writing persuasive researched papers. Proposes that teachers nurture creativity by teaching students to see themselves as scholars and to set reading and writing goals for themselves that will allow them to think constructively. (MG)

Argues that the five-paragraph-essay structure is a valuable teaching tool but cautions that composition teachers need to ensure that their students don't perceive it as an end in itself. Illustrates how students can learn the principles of effective composition and apply them to any writing task by making necessary modifications. (KEH)

Describes a program which pairs English instructors with instructors from other disciplines to improve student writing by developing writing assignments, grading techniques, and essay testing components. (RAE)

Applies the findings of the Effective Schools Movement and the School Development Program to improving the educational opportunities of Black urban students. Recommends progressive reform in the following areas: (1) recognizing the centrality of human relations; (2) eliminating barriers to effective teaching and learning; and (3) mobilizing…

Reports results of a study that analyzed two samples of essay-type examination answers and their connections with the grades obtained by Finnish high school graduation candidates. A two-way classification scheme is described where both the subject matter base and the type of information processing were taken into account. (nine references) (LRW)

A total of 455 essays written by Asian learners of English as a Second Language (ESL) were compared to 280 essays on similar topics written by native speakers of American English. Results found that the usage of the root modals "must,""have to,""should,""ought to," and "need to" appears to be…