Letters over a period of 25 years from a Canadian who came to the United States after college graduation to teach in various parts of the country, then returned to teach in Canada, reflect substantial differences between the 2 educational systems in regard to the teaching and testing of writing. (MSE)

Describes the use of a computer conferencing program, Confer II, in freshman college composition classes. Benefits discussed include the opportunity to expand classroom discussions; promotion of interactions between students, both class-related and purely social; and exploration of the link between conversation and expressive writing. (five…

Describes a research paper, modeled after scientific research papers and dissertations, with a four-part format including introduction, materials and methods, results, and discussion. Notes that the model is suited to students' first encounter with professional research because it encourages reflection on the research process itself. (MM)

Proposes that freshman writing instructors incorporate the form of writing practiced by the social sciences. Notes that this form constructs an intellectual bridge that leads from a limited "I"-oriented perspective to the academic discourse community. Gives three examples of writing strategies adapted from the social sciences. (RS)

Describes the collaboration of five lecturers that teach a freshman writing sequence at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Discusses their experiences in preparing for their reviews and the question of what it means to be a teacher of composition. (MS)

Discusses the ongoing debate about the role of literature in the freshman composition course. Claims that teachers of these courses individually determine the nature of each course. Shows that, for many decades, literature has not retained a secure place in freshman composition courses. (HB)

Discusses the debate about the use of literary works in freshman composition courses. Calls for more extensive research into the period of the 1950s and 1960s, with particular attention to the changes in composition instruction and the loss of literature from that curriculum. (HB)

Traces the emergence of authorship in a beginning college writing classroom through two case examples. Finds that although the instructor tried to foster a sense of engagement and commitment, the technical difficulty of the task, students' perceptions of their peers' interests, and a legacy of schooling and culture were equally important concerns…

Describes strategies (including the use of multicultural reading materials) for helping culturally diverse students make personal connections with poetry and the creative process. (SR)

Surveys students in journalism and mass communication. Finds that they do not view freshman composition as being especially useful to them in journalism, in their other courses, or for the work world; they felt they received better instruction in their journalism writing courses than in freshman composition in 9 of 11 skill areas. (SR)

Examines the effect of news writing instruction on the attitudes and writing performance of students in English composition classes. Finds the only significant difference between treatment and control groups is students' perception of the practicality of the writing instruction they received. (SR)

Describes a cross-disciplinary research paper assignment in which students engage in original research and interview an expert before researching in the library. (SR)

Offers descriptions of three class activities involving collaboration between basic composition and freshman composition classes, involving magazine production and peer response. (SR)

Compares the situations of freshman composition students and their graduate teaching assistants who study literature. Provides suggestions for teaching assistants regarding how they can orient themselves to their teaching tasks. (PRA)

Studies five peer-response groups in a freshman composition class before and after a semester of reading and responding to literature. Examines how the reading of literature affects the quality of responses to student written texts. Demonstrates the potential that the reading of and responding to literary texts holds for peer response. (MG)