Compares two methods for evaluating syntactic complexity and maturity: (1) the T-unit method of W. K. Hunt and (2) the sentence weight method of P. DiStephano and S. Howie. Concludes that sentence weight is no more accurate than T-units, and more difficult to compute. (JG)

Describes the changes basic writers made to an impromptu in-class essay when the essays were taken home and revised. Suggests that some basic writers have sophisticated revising skills, and that assessment which allows time for revision can give these students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills. (RAE)

Discusses the importance of maintaining a dialog between teachers and students about each writing assignment. Explores ways of keeping the dialog going, even after an assignment has been graded. (JAD)

Describes how having students evaluate their teacher's writing can develop the teacher's sensitivity when responding to student compositions. Suggests ways which help clarify teacher responses to student writing. (MM)

An anthropologist is urging development of better-defined standards for the evaluation of the writing of ethnographies. (MSE)

Claims that newswriting practice contributes to the development of advertising writing skills and that it is particularly relevant given the increasing enrollment in advertising programs. Describes five factors common to both news and advertising writing: audience, distillation, freshness, substance, and easy access. Provides examples of each…

The author argues that Fagley's and Miller's criticisms of his Contexts Pyramid Model of Classroom Writing Competence (TM 510 548) reflect a misunderstanding of the purposes and the assumptions underlying the model. (BS)

Proposes that in-depth assessment of student writing is the best and most effective way of grading papers and determining student needs. Includes a sample assessment scale. (CRH)

Results showed: (1) the dyslexic student produced syntactically complex structures comparable to nondyslexic writers; (2) primary semantic errors were inappropriate word choices and incorrect determiners; (3) the major problem with organization involved difficulties with expanding an idea and (4) metacognitive strategies included difficulties with…

Four research models used by schools to study writing across the curriculum are compared and discussed briefly, reasons for conducting such research are considered, and recommendations are provided for those interested in conducting similar research. The models cited were used in New Jersey, Toronto (Canada), and Perth (Australia). (PGD)

A computer program in BASIC developed to assist in grading college English compositions is discussed and presented. The program allows rapid recording and printing of instructor comments, providing more praise and feedback than otherwise feasible. Teachers are encouraged to adapt the program to their own needs and preferences. (MSE)

Reports the results of a study to determine grading criteria and evaluative standards used by a select group of business communication instructors. (AEA)

The study describes two revisions of the I. Daly and M. Miller Writing Apprehensions Scale. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability coefficients of the second revision were greater than .90. The revised measure should be a useful tool for future research examining the writing anxiety of younger students. (Author/CL)

The impacts of computers on writing have been widely studied for three decades. Even basic computers functions, i.e. word processing, have been of great assistance to writers in modifying their essays. The research on Automated Essay Scoring (AES) has revealed that computers have the capacity to function as a more effective cognitive tool (Attali,…

Advocates the use of a cassette tape as a permanent and more enlightening record of students' efforts and errors on technical writing assignments. Provides procedures for the use of this grading technique. (HTH)