The situational approach is one effective way of presenting students with technical writing assignments that represent "a close approximation of the writing chores which befall the gainfully employed technical writer in industry." The approach includes elements of both simulation and game playing, with some significant differences. The situational…

Noting the growing interest in how writing activities might complement current teaching techniques and improve learning in mathematics, this paper presents a progress report on the use of writing assignments in freshman precalculus courses at a Minnesota university. The paper first presents a rationale for this teaching technique and the original…

This annotated bibliography contains 33 items from the ERIC database concerning the use and misuse of metaphor in science education. The items date from 1977 to 1988 and are grouped into fire categories: overview, science education, writing in the sciences, children's learning, and computer terminology. (RS)

Using the "pattern approach" is a means of teaching students to be confident and competent writers. In this method, the writer uses a device called a planning blank to establish purpose, audience, topic, and role as a writer. Then the overall structure can be planned. A good writing plan should suggest not only a beginning, middle, and…

While discouraging using writing as punishment, this pamphlet shows how writing can be a tool to support learning. The pamphlet discusses the following ten ways that writing can be used in any school subject to enhance learning and to develop students' thinking processes: (1) to identify personal goals, (2) to comprehend reading material, (3) to…

Discusses style-developing assignments in which students simulate the characteristic features of a distinctive manner of speaking. Suggests using impersonation as an invention strategy (e.g., by adopting a controversial persona position), and to encourage stylistic fluency through parodies, dialogues, or polyphonic essays. Also suggests using…

E. D. Hirsch in his book "Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know" sees gaps in common cultural information as the leading cause of illiteracy. Hirsch compiles nearly 5,000 facts and figures that represent what literate Americans need to know. (MLW)

Contends that a political science class is an excellent place to help students learn better writing skills. Argues that by doing so, students will develop better thinking skills for political science inquiry. Discusses obstacles to helping students improve writing skills and offers six guidelines to help students develop writing skills in a…

Reports on a study to determine the effectiveness of an integrated study strategy system that uses self-assigned writing as a means of learning psychology content. Concludes that the PORPE (Predict, Organize, Rehearse, Practice, and Evaluate) system can be a potent, durable, and efficient independent study strategy. (JAD)

Synthesizes documents from the ERIC database concerning the research paper as an effective tool in developing communication and study skills, and suggests strategies for helping students successfully research and write a paper. (RS)

Offers examples of how the Red and Black, an independent student newspaper at the University of Georgia, covers student activities. (JK)

Indicates that, although it was not easy for students to apply what they had learned from writing personal narratives to other subjects and other types of stories, the personal narrative assignment turned out to be much more than a way to keep students writing between interview-based assignments. (JK)

Presents ten ideas for improving student writing skills in high school social studies courses. The ideas are based on the use of the writing cycle and lead students toward the preparation of a persuasive essay. (GEA)

Describes a course designed to train students to read original empirical articles independently and critically. Uses a case-study approach to help students develop data-reading skills and a coherent writing style. Includes methods for teaching the course and guidelines for the critical reading of empirical articles. (Author/GEA)

Describes a system for arranging assignments in a composition course that aims to prepare students for academic writing, by focusing entirely on exposition and its conceptual demands. (HTH)