Content or subject matter, interpersonal relationships, and symbolic means of representing meaning are interacting elements that affect language use. The elements have been described as the field, tenor, and mode of discourse. The influence of these concepts on what children write, why they write, and for whom they write are explored. (DF)

Presents an overview of the problem of adult illiteracy and discusses what it means to be literate. Offers considerations pertaining to the teaching of literacy and of how technology might be used to facilitate this teaching. Concludes with recommendations about how to exploit the possibilities of technology in literacy education. (FL)

This study examines user insights on the issues of keyboarding and computer knowledge. It presents reactions of first-time microcomputer users and reveals insights that may be helpful to educators presenting courses to this population. Recommendations are presented and fall into three categories: lab schedule, microcomputer as typewriter, and…

Presents sequential approach to writing instruction that draws on power of rhetoric to help students connect with real world. Exercises focus on country's literacy problem and allow students to work with all kinds of discourse in logical sequence while learning to summarize, to analyze their own and their classmates' styles, and to work with…

Writing skills can be reinforced when students work together to create a classroom novel. Examples of how a language arts class developed a character by brainstorming, then wrote and revised their story to be shared with others, are given. (DF)

Three essay questions were administered to junior education major college students. Factor analysis of the ratings showed that content played a large role in the students' responses, yielding dominant first order factors. Generalizability theory, used to examine the reliability of students' ratings, showed the need for more raters and questions.…

Describes three methods used by researchers to elicit original metaphors and similes: structured tasks using poetry ideas, definitions and models, and supporting the thesis of a paper. (CRH)

The relationship between students' beliefs about the nature of knowledge and their conceptions of prose coherence was examined. Sequencing and unity were categorized as mature conceptions. Students with context-oriented beliefs about the nature of knowledge were more likely to report mature coherence conceptions than students with fact-oriented…

Briefly discusses the development of writing in young children. Describes children's acquisition of concepts about writing, their experimentation with written language, and their construction of written language for themselves. (AS)

Examines some of the variables that have been found to affect topic choice and writing performance in writing assessment. (FL)

The measurement of writing offers a challenge to test developers due to controversy over the use of objective tests versus compositions. A discussion of a basic skills writing test developed in Los Angeles County offers insight into the issues of which competencies should be tested and how these competencies would be measured. (DF)

Questions whether the emphasis placed on the teaching of grammar in the American school curriculum will yield more than modest benefits. Suggests that literacy cannot be attained primarily through analyzing sentences and memorizing rules. (RBW)

Reports findings of one study that reanalyzed research data allegedly demonstrating a substantial relationship between social cognitive ability and narrative writing skill, and another that collected original data. Reveals no relationship between social cognitive ability and rated quality of narrative essays. Discusses finding in terms of a…

Urges that beginning writers be shown that by maintaining a consistent and appropriate rhetorical stance they not only signal their own role but also indicate the proper role for the audience to play. (MM)

Describes using the parallels between developing the persuasive essay and an advertisement to help advertising students become aware of the importance of voice, point of view, and audience. Students complete a written essay modeled after the language and techniques employed by advertisers. (HTH)