The Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) movement has gone from valuable but less effective individual efforts to organized, district- and campus-supported projects based on goals for improved student learning in every area and every program. On the college level, WAC takes two forms: a more traditional, formally structured approach from faculty…

Concludes that two uses of the computer are potentially helpful in social studies instruction: (1) as a data storage and manipulation tool and (2) as a writing tool for composition. Entertains diverse opinions on the necessity of computer literacy. (JK)

Reviews the authors experience in teaching a senior-level undergraduate course entitled: "Using a Microcomputer to Enhance Historical Research and Writing." The class used Ashton-Tate's FRAMEWORK, an integrated program that combines filing, outlining, word processing, and other functions. Includes the syllabus and student reactions to the course.…

Uses case studies of intensive writing courses in government, history, and computer science to explain the differences between the disciplinary contexts for writing, and to help tutors in their work with students from those disciplines. (RS)

Described are strategies that help writing-disabled students improve handwriting skills (e.g., provide models, use prompting and fading techniques, teach proofing skills) and strategies that allow students to circumvent handwriting problems so they can concentrate on the subject matter content (e.g., typewriters, computers, oral reports and…

Writing-to-Learn provides a method for designing writing assignments that help hearing-impaired students master content learning objectives. While it has been used primarily with university students, it should prove equally successful with elementary and secondary school students. Detailed suggestions for using the approach and a sample project…

This article studies the effects of complexity and completeness in an introductory psychology textbook on students' understanding of the text materials. It was found that students presented with oversimplified versions made incorrect references. Complex presentation, however, did not adversely affect the students' test responses. (JAZ)

Based on the idea that the best way to help students write better is to have them write more, this article describes an instructional process called journal freewriting. Shows how freewriting, or writing without planning and without stopping, may be used cooperatively by social studies and English departments to enhance efforts to improve…

Strategies to help social studies teachers integrate writing into their classes are suggested. These include student journals, focused freewriting, written assignments used for review, creative book reports, poems, short stories, and songs. (RM)

Demonstrates that basic algebraic symbols can be used to illustrate fundamental concepts in technical writing, such as hierarchical organization, sentence structure, modification, and punctuation. Suggests that students in calculus, chemistry, and physics may benefit from this application of familiar concepts to those of technical writing. (HTH)

Describes the development and operation of the MIT Technical Writing Cooperative, a means of writing across the curriculum that has been used for more than 25 years. (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)

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)

Describes a documented term paper assignment that allows students to investigate topics in other courses in which they are enrolled. Discusses the advantages of enlisting help from instructors in other areas and offers tips for involving the cooperating instructors in a mutually satisfying way. (FL)