Examines recent research that uses protocol analysis to determine the cognitive processes used by writers in planning their work. (FL)

Lists books, articles, and reviews appearing in 1982 that dealt with some aspect of technical writing. (FL)

Concludes that the amount of time spent viewing television is negatively related to the writing ability of children in grades five, seven, eight, and nine. (FL)

Surveys research on role of audience in discourse in a series of related disciplines, including cognitive psychology, composition, speech communication, rhetoric, and philosophy. Concludes that writing teachers can achieve a sophisticated, complex understanding of nature and role of audience in written discourse only if they are aware of both…

Discusses the potential of microcomputers for accomplishing educational goals beyond drill and practice software. Describes a program in which students have access to a computer-based network that connects classrooms in four states, which allows peer response, develops a sense of audience, and gives students greater control over their literacy…

Reports the results of a survey of 804 college graduates from a school of business administration; concludes that a knowledge of the kinds of writing required of these graduates should influence the content of future business communication courses. (AEA)

This reference guide of composition studies defines key terms and concepts and provides information about scholars in the field. The guide is intended as an invitation into composition studies for newcomers who wish to explore and perhaps contribute to the discipline, for those in other disciplines who wish to familiarize themselves with the field…

This position paper is a product of Australia's Primary English Teaching Association. The paper looks at the capabilities of Australian children upon their entry into kindergarten. It argues that a new breed of learners needs a new set of practices to support their literacy learning. The paper focuses on a study in which writing samples were…

A two-phase ethnographic study conducted over the course of two semesters examined a project to create a web site on the Internet. Subjects were enrolled in either a "Features Writing for Business and Industry" course or an "Advanced Technical Writing" course at an open-admissions university offering a major in Professional…

Public relations writing curricula must accurately reflect the writing responsibilities of public relations (PR) practitioners. This study provides descriptive information on the types of writing tasks conducted by PR practitioners. The study also investigates whether the type of writing and overall time spent writing vary with years of…

This action research project describes a program to increase the basic writing ability and improve the attitude of sixth grade students. The targeted classroom was located in a unit district 45 miles northwest of a large metropolitan area. The district's population consists of a large amount of minority students and low-income families. Evidence…

This annotated bibliography is intended to help teachers of composition improve writing quality of entering college students. The main body of the report is preceded by a brief summary of sources for faculty interested in examining the causes attributed to the decline in college students' writing skills, including: "National Assessment and the…

Project WATCH! (Writing Across the Curriculum Hawks!) was the 1999-2000 schoolwide action research project at the A.D. Henderson University School grades K-8. The study question, "How can teachers build schoolwide capacity to support improved student writing across the curriculum?", examined whole-school collaboration where all teachers understand…

A study examined what a third grader might understand about composing a common genre like the narrative, given the degree of variance among approaches and experience. Data were collected from different school sites over a period of several years. These sites shared common geographical areas: three schools were located in the Sonoran desert shared…

This report describes a program for advancing student writing skills through the use of systematic and creative phonics instruction. The targeted population consisted of first and fourth grade students in a middle class suburban community located in the suburbs of Chicago. The problems of poor phonics skills and writing abilities were documented…