Suggests having students write short summaries using the principles of the journalistic news "lead" to help them sharpen their abstraction skills. Includes samples of data blocks from which students would compose their summaries, kernel sentences from the samples, "kernel" kernel sentences, first draft summaries, and 30-word…

A productive language exercise that uses the computer and a variation on the cloze procedure by deleting every third word and requiring the student to insert a grammatically and thematically acceptable term is described. (MSE)

The prewriting strategies of guided imagery, brainstorming, clustering, freewriting, and oral activities, are described. It is suggested that teachers utilize these strategies to help students become competent in each stage of the writing process. Ten writing resources are listed. (MBR)

An aquatics fitness class given at Drake University (Iowa) is described. Students set up their own programs in consultation with the instructor choosing three components from the following list: cardiorespiratory, strength, flexibility, nutrition and weight management, and posture and body measurement. (JMK)

The physical advantages of competitive training programs for children are positive if physiological factors of growth and development are observed. Implications for training are discussed. (DF)

Argues that children want to write and enjoy writing and that teachers need to provide them with suitable opportunities for doing so. Discusses different kinds of writing that allow children's voices to come through. (FL)

Describes writing assignments that other teachers may wish to present in their classes on women's issues. (CRH)

Describes how students are able to empathize with women writers and each other by reading and writing autobiography. (CRH)

Describes two writing assignments that elicit investigations of language and generate topics for which students are knowledgeable authorities. The first requires students to write an extended definition of a familiar slang term, while the second assignment requires them to write a final report after participating on a language usage panel. (HTH)

Outlines a unit on teaching business communication students the complexities of writing in-house memoranda. (AEA)

Describes a way to teach children the research paper through personal discovery without constraints that usually compel them to copy from reference books. The process demonstrates that organizational schemes for children are intuitive, and that teachers can show children how to use peer response groups during their writing to aid in…

Describes a class project designed to help students prepare themselves for the job search--the preparation of a portfolio containing all the written assignments the students have completed in the course. (FL)

Contributors discuss (1) a modified version of individualized instruction in the writing classroom, (2) tutoring, and (3) the virtues of short student teacher conferences. (FL)

Recommends teaching journalism as an English course or in combination with an English course to ensure the continuation of journalism education in the face of more stringent graduate requirements. Describes such a course, which includes literature, a research paper, and regular composition assignments. (HTH)

A survey of 190 academic departments in 34 universities indicates that considerable variability exists across fields in the kinds of writing required and in preferred assessment topics. (FL)