Describes a study in which 30 letters from corporation executives to shareholders were examined for readability and writing style. Concludes that letters written by executives who were viewed as successful fell into accepted levels of readability. Observes that opening paragraphs tended to be equivocal or positive. Suggests study of shareholder…

Discusses the issue of handwriting instruction through the whole language philosophy and direct instruction methods. States the approaches that each teaching method would use. (MG)

Discusses the use of entrance tests to admit students to mass communication programs. Advocates finding out precisely what an entrance test measures, and whether it matches what the curriculum demands of students. Recommends two essay tests that evaluate writing skill better than an objective test. (SR)

Identifies six writing characteristics that separate the professional writer from the amateur. Describes a teaching approach in which students criticize and rewrite a report several times, not only learning the characteristics of a professional writer, but beginning to adopt them in their own writing. (SR)

Describes a simple structuring device for teaching paragraphing skills which focuses the student's attention on the subject of the paragraph and a specific interest in the subject. Outlines how to use the method for showing basic writers how to proceed to longer compositions. (HB)

Presents citations, descriptions, and critiques of two current volumes that focus on helping writers to develop better writing skills. (HB)

Discusses and tries to define the basic differences between high school and college-level writing. Examines key assumptions of the Summer Writing Program at Carleton College along with the criteria used for determining whether students should receive writing course credit. Reveals contradictions in stated criteria and praxis. (HB)

Redefines literacy and questions the presumption that college students already have it. Discusses Deborah Brandt's "Literacy as Involvement: The Acts of Writers, Readers, and Texts" to place literacy in a social context. Discusses J. Elspeth Stuckey's "The Violence of Literacy" which takes a strong position against regarding…

Provides a paragraph frame as an organizational guide for developing reports from nonfiction children's magazines. (MG)

Discusses approaches for writing teachers to use when teaching how to write a persuasive essay using the word processor. (MG)

Reports on a study of early writing development in a population of 50-55 children in the first 3 years of schooling. The "morning news genre" was found to be one of several examples of curriculum genres that could be identified in early childhood education where "genre" is defined as a staged goal-oriented purposeful activity. (25 references) (JL)

Claims some technical professionals assigned to write reports or manuals interpret writing as a means of displaying data rather than as communication. Discusses specific weaknesses commonly found in such documents. Suggests that texts should convey precisely what is intended in a form readers will find acceptable. (NH)

Describes a "moment of mutuality" between an instructor and three students for which the students' cognitive styles provide the backdrop. Discusses the mutual empowerment available to students interested in exploring the ramifications of their own cognitive types. (NH)

The ways that portfolio evidence of student competence in the writing processes is created and interpreted were studied in four classrooms during the preliminary trials of the California Learning Assessment System portfolios. Data from interviews with six students and two elementary school teachers are used to explore student portfolios and…

Argues that grammar instruction is important and should begin early. Lists rules for using the comma, colon, and semi-colon. Notes 10 tips for top-notch writing. Notes grammatical areas often troublesome to students. Includes a short quiz. (SR)