Maintains that writing teachers, and thus also their students, have become obsessed with revision as an end in itself. Suggests that the writer-computer relationship is displacing the writer-audience relationship in the rhetorical situation and may often function to isolate writers. (SR)

Shows that organizational metaphors have a significant effect on the way writers think about readers and compose written reports. (SR)

Suggests that readability formulas are methodologically flawed and inappropriate measures of the readability of materials written for adults. Argues that the cloze procedure is preferable because it assesses the readability of material by its intended audience. Notes that possible users of the cloze procedure include school systems, government…

Discusses how advertisers use information (i.e., how they organize and present words) and suggests similarities with educators who try to attract attention, impart information, and foster retention of that information. Positioning in marketing is explained; and educational implications are discussed, including focusing on the audience and studying…

An edited transcript of the recorded discussion among panel members at a symposium at the 1993 meeting of the American Educational Research Association pertaining to changes in standards across time and jurisdiction is presented. Participants' comments reflect concern about the validity and reliability of standards. (SLD)

Describes the creation and eventual demise of a technologically advanced distance-learning facility. Concludes that it is critical, especially in an expensive high-tech environment, to listen to the customers and use their feedback to constantly improve service. (SR)

Offers a case study of a child who used school writing activities to perform rather than simply to communicate. Finds that, although the child's language resources contributed greatly to his success with written language, they did not always fit comfortably into the writing workshop used in his classroom. (PRA)

Surveys personal computer (PC) ownership and traditional media use habits. Finds that PC owners were more affluent than non-PC owners and read the local morning paper more, but the two groups differed little in television news viewed. Concludes that PC ownership did not lead to radical changes in use of traditional news media. (SR)

Offers a sample scenario to illustrate ways business communicators' purposes can conflict. Describes various types of purposes in detail, suggesting how teachers might integrate discussion of these types into their coverage of standard assignments. Provides a heuristic that teachers can employ in business communication classes to encourage…

Asserts that the works of Peter Elbow and Kenneth Burke are valuable reference points because they problematize fundamental assumptions within the field of composition that pluralism and factional perspectives typically elide. Describes Elbow's rhetorical magic and shows how magic illuminates Burke's effort. Wonders whether Elbow and Burke…

The concluding statement by participants in the 1990 Wolf Trap Conference on Academic Freedom and Artistic Expression (Virginia, April 29-May 1) proposes policies to assist institutions in responding to issues of accountability, audience, and public funding arising from presentation of artistic works to the public in a manner that preserves…

Suggests that Michael McGee and Michael Leff share similarities of approach that help them to avoid the form/content split. Argues that their recent essays, in which they both move to opposite extremes on the "audience" issue, threaten to reintroduce the form/content split. (KEH)

Describes how a high school journalism teacher approached the problem of building minority participation in high school journalism as a public relations campaign, identifying the publics involved (students and school administration) and addressing their interests and needs. (SR)

Analyzes television news stories broadcast during the Persian Gulf War for censorship disclaimers, the censoring source, and the producing network. Discusses results in terms of both production- and viewer-based differences. Considers the question of whether censorship "works" in terms of unanticipated results related to story…

Examines adolescents' television viewing motives, activities, and satisfaction, in an attempt to integrate the audience activity construct into the uses and gratifications model. Suggests that more strongly motivated viewers engage more actively in various audience activities throughout the viewing process and receive greater viewing satisfaction…