Despite the fact that social constructivism is accepted as the guiding theory in Composition, that this theory is the field's theoretical center of gravity, it does not account for, nor explain, the entire writing process. Two major challenges to social constructivism must also be considered in theoretical discussions: (1) the cognitive dimension…

Linda Flowers and John Hayes have formulated a cognitive model of the composing situation, including the recursive composing process. This model has been converted into an instructional model that is appropriate for the design of instruction in writing. The instructional model incorporates three major units: task environment, composing process,…

Discusses an essay, "Cheerio," written to support the author's argument that there is no such thing as a dull subject. Reflects on the influence of "occasion" on the writing process. (JAD)

Responds to an overly narrow view of process by applying Martin Heidegger's concept of interpretation to writing. Suggests Heidegger's "forestructure" is a useful model to give depth to problems in rhetoric and composition. (MS)

Delves into the writer's inspirations and techniques for creating sparse prose and simply illustrated children's books. (JK)

The author discusses the problems of writing biographies, especially about the lives of adult educators. He emphasizes the process he followed in writing a biography of Eduard Lindeman. (CH)

Demonstrates the impracticality of imposing rigorous definitions on the various stages of the writing process and the ineffectiveness of requiring students to adhere to strict writing strategies. (SRT)

Discusses three approaches to allowing individual students to approach the writing process in their own way. Describes one conceptual system for identifying learning styles in the writing classroom, based on Jungian psychological types. (HTH)

Presents a procedural model for use as a prewriting strategy to help students "decenter" or distance themselves from their writing and avoid the generalities that characterize egocentric writing. The model provides opposing viewpoints in a student's analysis of problems or issues. (HTH)

Describes a procedure technical writing students can use to test how concerns like segmentation, defining criteria, and paragraph structure may apply to finding an organization for their own texts. Essentially a heuristic, the procedure assumes that a number like three (a control number) is useful in organizing information for any kind of…

Discusses factors that interfere with students' effective use of heuristic procedures for invention in composition. (HTH)

Discusses the ability of textbooks to help teach the processes of composing. (FL)

Describes an incremental approach to writing research papers designed to promote students' commitment and audience awareness. (MM)

Recommends a 15-step cut-and-staple method that helps students improve their writing while learning to manipulate parts of their work in the revision stage of the writing process. Offers secondary suggestions in addition to the 15 steps. (RL)

Examines the whole area of contemporary composition theory. (AEA)