Analyzes the institutionality and intractability of the "close reading" assignment. Maintains that the close reading assignment functions as an index to English in the academy. (RS)

Describes a short writing exercise that aims at expanding the cultural literacy of students and raises many questions about the process of interpreting literature. Notes that each student researches a biblical, mythological, literary, or historical reference and then writes a short paper explaining how the comparison adds to the understanding of…

Argues that exploratory discourse, an old but little appreciated genre, may be particularly suited for revealing and enabling the kind of thinking in matters that do not lend themselves to absolute proof. Discusses exploratory writing assignments suitable for freshman composition courses. (RS)

Critical thinking is being promoted as a vital element in secondary education. Home economics teachers can help students develop critical thinking skills through structured writing assignments beginning with free writing and proceeding to more formal papers. (SK)

Explores the use of the term "voice" in written discourse as a metaphor for "authority," a quality that distinguishes an effective writer. Proposes a "scale of negotiation" and a sequence of assignments for a 15-week term in which students gradually establish a position of authority over their texts. (RS)

Explains the guidelines for an exercise based on the poem "The Little Mute Boy" by F. Garcia Lorca. States that students are to: discuss synesthesia, the substitution of senses; explore the surreal senses; think about life without a sense; create a net of surprises; write a poem; and read the poem aloud. (PA)

Describes a writing project in which elementary students write Choose-Your-Own adventure stories. (SR)

Describes using Monday morning journal writing activities to give the teacher an insight into what the weekend has done for students. (RS)

Each paper written by 60 sophomores in computer classes received 3 peer evaluations using a structured evaluation process. Overall, students were able to grade efficiently and consistently in terms of overall score and selected criteria (subject matter, content, and mechanics). (SK)

Presents a writing assignment from a class in general semantics in which students write about a personal application of general semantics. Presents a paper submitted by one student. (SR)

Presents an exercise in descriptive writing that shows how to take a subjective statement and support or deny it using a common body of factual observations. (PA)

Presents a conception of writing assignments as a navigation through five writing "events" that students experience through individually imposed writing tasks. Describes the five events within each assignment. Concludes with positive student evaluations. (HB)

Offers suggestions on ways to introduce a workshop audience (of faculty, teaching assistants, or new composition instructors) to composing as women. Discusses classroom structure, teaching the composing process, the rhetorical situation, designing writing assignments, teaching expository form, using peer review groups, responding to drafts,…

Presents a title-writing exercise which can be completed in class in 20 to 30 minutes. Asserts that the exercise works for many writers as a strategy for focusing and developing. (PRA)

Notes that, although writing instruction is appropriate, students need to have the opportunity to practice daily what they have learned. Discusses a number of ways teachers can developmentally influence students' processes of becoming good writers. Suggests that motivational activities that create, build, evaluate, and edit writing help students…