Offers a structural analysis of an explanatory text written by a 12-year-old pupil to demonstrate how the PISA technique (Procedures for Incremental Structural Analysis) contributes to the understanding of conceptual processes in writing. Discusses evidence for the validity of such analysis and its generalizability. (SR)

Explains the rhetorical implications of actions and states in various models of procedural discourse and in specific writer strategies. Considers more flexible alternatives to the "streamlined-step" model. States that one goal of technical communicators may be to help ensure that systems are designed, developed, implemented, and supported with…

Discusses learning-style differences in students and the need for teachers to present opportunities for children to develop their stronger gifts and to strengthen their weaker areas. Alternate ways of teaching writing to children are highlighted, including providing multisensory stimuli, role-playing, and storytelling. (CR)

To minimize the negative impact of handwriting and spelling difficulties of students with learning disabilities, it is proposed that explicit and systematic instruction, as well as incidental or natural learning approaches be used to maximize the development of these two basic writing tools. These approaches are examined. (Author/CR)

This article examines the development of the Self-Regulated Strategy Development Model for teaching writing strategies and self-regulation procedures to students with writing difficulties. It describes how the model operates, and examines its effectiveness. It also highlights how the model has been used to respond to variations in settings and…

By reporting three in-depth case studies of adults with learning disabilities, this article clarifies how Strategic Content Learning (SCL) instruction is implemented to promote strategic writing, illustrates how SCL instructional principles can be personalized in response to individuals' needs, and traces the relationships between SCL…

This article reviews different procedures to sample and evaluate a student's spelling skills. Suggestions for further analysis of error patterns in spelling to determine possible causal or maintaining factors, guided by the Spelling Analysis Flowchart, are discussed. By utilizing this hypothesis-driven process, appropriate and effective…

A focus on people--whether community members, students, historical figures, or fictional characters--and their motivations brings excitement to learning. A community's experts on everything from jazz music and Chinese tapestries to building construction can help students move inside history and other subjects. (MLH)

An effective way to conduct writing conferences and support primary students in writing is to find questions that encourage more thinking and writing as they work. Four strategies include: avoiding yes/no questions, encouraging students to value work, evaluating many writing samples, and refocusing in conferences. The paper offers sample writing…

Outlines the writing process. Describes various classroom writing activities that offer simple frameworks, introductions to the process, and activities involved in each stage to help young children (even primary students) effectively use the writing process, and eagerly look forward to writing and publishing. (SR)

Considers how the "process approach" to writing presupposes that a student has an idea, possesses a reasonable control over syntax, and has an appropriate vocabulary. Suggests that students need something "outside the box" to help them enhance the quality of their writing. Presents a project using multimedia tools to enhance…

Provides a list of 25 ideas that will enrich reading and writing programs. These ideas include reading aloud, reading demonstrations, reading conferences, independent and shared reading, miscue analysis, guided reading, theme immersion, independent writing, author/illustrator studies, personal journal writing, letter writing, and publishing. (MOK)

Responses from 73 of 100 vocational-technical faculty indicated they were generally not apprehensive about writing. There was a need for emphasizing the writing process in graduate programs and overcoming fear of evaluation of written work and of publishing. There were no differences between two- and four-year faculty. (SK)

Promotes honest debate focused upon clearer and more accurate writing. Errors commonly found in texts originate in part by overhasty publication and oversimplification. (SAH)

Reports on a study in which students with and without learning disabilities wrote persuasive essays about controversial topics. One group of students was given an elaborated goal that included explicit subgoals based on the elements of argumentation. Sixth-grade students in the elaborated goal condition produced more persuasive essays and included…