Provides a classification scheme for recognizing and analyzing the elements of graphic persuasion embodied in political cartoons. (PD)

Reviews findings of recent television research and discusses two dominant issues: the nature and determinants of children's attention to television, and the amount and kind of content retained by different age groups. It is recommended that research on media effects incorporate age-related and individual difference factors. Nineteen references are…

Reviews and compares results of content analysis studies of selected high school science laboratory handbooks using the Laboratory Structure and Task Analysis Inventory (LAI). Findings from two biology, two chemistry, and two physics handbooks indicate highly structured investigations where students perform manipulative and observational…

Field-independent and dependent students read or took notes on a logically organized or scrambed article. Field-independent students scored better than field-dependent students on items of high structural importance to the meaning of the passage. Cognitive style effects on material of low structural importance were not significant. (Author/RD)

This reviewer feels that the CBS television special "Is Anyone Out There Learning?" overemphasized problems and offered few useful solutions. All articles in this journal issue comment on this CBS News program, aired in August, 1978. (SJL)

Examines types of adventure show content (violence, conflict, realism, and action) and viewer characteristics which may influence program liking. Findings suggest that the average viewer somewhat dislikes the typical violence portrayed in adventure shows; emotional conflict, however, seems to enhance liking for adventure shows. (PD)

Examined the nature of family social interactions appearing in contemporary novels written especially for adolescent readers. Investigated: (1) family structures and parenting behavior; (2) family decision-making processes; (3) autonomy; (4) affect; and (5) global-health-pathology. As a norm, fictional families were not functioning optimally but…

Since 1970 the CPA Law Exam has been heavily weighted in a few of the 14 content areas, raising the question of whether or not there are too many legal areas for which the student is held responsible. (Journal availability: Fred B. Rothman & Co., 10368 W. Centennial Road, Littleton, CO 80123, $4.00.) (MSE)

Defines the approach of textlinguistics to the study of TV messages' comprehension, starting from the basic criterion that comprehension depends on the global semantic structure of the message and on the situational context of the communicants. On this basis the potential of television as a tool for language instruction is discussed. (MES)

Identifies 10 areas representing significant coverage in 459 articles published in three major reading education journals between June 1976 and June 1978: material description, comprehension, program designs, testing/evaluation, teacher variables, affective domain, content area reading, phonics, readability, and bilingual concerns. (FL)

Examines Syron's novel as a strategic rhetorical response to the problems of racism in America with far-ranging implications in American social and institutional history. Argues that the novel's shaping vision illuminates the ethical dilemma of the liberal humanist and explores the ramifications of violence for self-definition and social reform.…

Answers such central questions as what information is, what relevance is, how one tells what a document is about, and what an information need is. These discussions lead to a description of an ideal information retrieval system. (Author/JD)

The 1978 amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides that pregnant women may claim any disability and medical benefits extended to other employees for non-job-related disabilities. The author examines the legislation and prior court decisions, noting the distinction between pregnancy benefits and sex discrimination. (MF)

Virginia Western Community College reviewed its policy concerning the grant of academic credit for successful completion of CLEP general examinations, finding that the CLEP examinations were questionable in terms of content validity, produced low correlations with subsequent course grades, and were not always acceptable for transfer credit at…

Argues that films and documentaries are useful in promoting critical analysis and classroom discussion. Discusses films that are effective teaching tools. Warns that some films may provide only one side of a story, and teachers must be careful to present a balanced discussion. Includes sources for obtaining these films. (AJL)