Two common trends are beginning to change writing courses. They are a growing emphasis upon the persuasive nature of prose, and an accelerating interest in the study and analysis of moral values. Hopefully the concern for values will help guide and direct the persuasive powers of writing. (JMD)

Considers the place of composition in liberal education, the proper aims and conduct of such courses.

Re-examines some of the ideas of the "Writing Across the Curriculum" project from a classroom perspective. (Editor)

Describes general suggestions and techniques used at Bay Path Junior College (Longmeadow, Massachusetts) to make the business communication course exciting and meaningful yet still capitalize on student involvement. (TA)

Proposes a course of programed instruction designed to teach 8th-grade students to write English, with a view to becoming able to help English-speaking foreigners. Teaching aims are defined in detail. Some student work is examined, errors are corrected, and achievement is measured. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

This article discusses the problems involved in insisting upon oral proficiency in language instruction, to the detriment of other language skills. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

This article constitutes a response challenging Balesdent's article which claimed that insistence on oral proficiency in language instruction is doomed to failure. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

Describes measurement instruments for language development, literature, reading, English as a second language, and writing. (DD)

A communications consultant reminds design professionals that in marketing communications, "It's not creative, unless it sells." Available from: Architectural Record, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020; $5.00 single copy. (Author/MLF)

Describes a format for assignments that trains students to write short, persuasive essays. Essay topics address how software available in the computing lab can use a computing technique. Points are scored by making multiple concise arguments that answer different aspects of the essay question. (PVD)

Investigates specific writing skills of both native and nonnative business students to see whether traditional instruction in grammar prepares students for business communication classes and the corporate world. Finds that, although most students passed objective grammar and punctuation tests (and the two groups showed no statistical differences),…

Discusses research on the role of audience awareness in writing and human cognition, arguing that developmental writers exhibit egocentric tendencies and assume that the readers do not need elaboration or transitions. Describes four subskills of audience awareness: clear execution, adequate content, perspective differentiation, and role taking.…

Claims that writing systems that constitute a species of graphic systems, such as pictures and charts, are distinctive in that they bear a direct relation to speech. Argues that writing serves as a model for various properties of speech including sentences, words, and phonemes. Concludes that literacy contributes to conceptual structure of…

Examines Vygotsky's distinction between spontaneous and scientific concepts and their influence upon mental development. Discusses the differences between oral and written utterances and the use of writing in science classrooms to address issues of racial and gender equity. Contains 29 references. (JRH)

Discusses the two core approaches (the deep approach and the surface approach) for writing by college students. Deep approach involves conception is oneself as an agent in making meaning and the surface approach is linked to a more passive strategy marked by reproduction of reorganization of information. Concludes with recommendations for…