Investigates how accurately writers detect violations of the writing rules of Simplified English (SE) and what sorts of mistakes are likely to be made when text is rewritten to conform to SE rules. Concludes that training tools such as the Simplified English Analyser can lessen the writers' difficulties. (SR)

Explores the assumption that writing is a way to learn by examining the influence of task interpretation on writing and studying as learning aids. Finds that task interpretation and the nature of the material to be learned are important mediating variables in the relationship between writing and learning. (PRA)

Finds that papers written by eighth graders on computer were rated significantly higher on all four dimensions of a holistic/analytic writing assessment scale. Notes that students made more microstructural than macrostructural changes and continuously revised at all stages of their writing. Considers student experience with computers and the…

Explores fifth graders' audience awareness when they compose and revise an original text for two audiences (a good third grade reader and an experienced adult reader) in a realistic transactional writing task. Finds that they successfully revised texts to address expectations of both audiences but were more successful for the third grade readers.…

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)