The Urbana Conference on Competence in English met for six days in February 1977 to discuss competence in English. The Conference included 12 representatives of various professional associations, college and school teachers, members of state and national agencies, and dealt with general issues of competence as it affected the teaching and learning…

Describes a humanistic, non-cognitive, experiential approach to the teaching of writing and discusses a study which confirmed the effectiveness of this approach at the Study Skills Center of San Diego State University. (DD)

Presents a taxonomy of writing instruction, a model or paradigm of the writing process, an application of this model to the teaching of writing, and an explanation of the empirical basis of the model. (Author/GW)

Presents techniques for reading and writing poetry with intermediate grade children. (AA)

Specific techniques for encouraging the writing of poetry. (AA)

Describes a tutorial instruction process, which emphasized the process of writing, for use within the regular classroom. (MKM)

The approach to teaching composition at Drake University's Writing Workshop involves instructors acting as conversants, readers, fellow writers, and assessors. (MKM)

Ideas for a freshmen research paper include beginning the research the first class period and using magazine articles on topics of interest as basic sources. (MKM)

Have writing skills taken a backseat in your classroom? They have in many schools, even though the need for good writers is growing. A professional writer and teacher shows how you can help your students take their first steps in developing writing skills. (Editor/RK)

Advises young authors seeking the publication of their first book on journalism to seek out experts in the field, to watch for publishing trends, and to judge publishing houses by the editors with whom the author will work. (RL)

Lists bibliographies, books, reviews, and articles published during 1976 that deal with technical writing. (GW)

The author describes the writing skills lab program in her junior high school. (DS)

Extended and systematic sentence combining practice solidifies/enhances the normal rate of development of two factors (syntactic flexibility and judged quality of writing) considered critical to the writing ability of secondary students. (MJB)

Criticizes the teaching of formal, abstract grammar prior to sixth grade, citing its ineffectiveness in improving composition skills. Proposes the elimination of traditional grammar from the early curriculum, retention of instruction in language usage and spelling and emphasis on student practice in writing. (BF)