Presents an interview with Winston Weathers, a composition theorist, whose ideas, according to the interviewer, have not been as influential in the field as they should have been. Examines how Weathers' ideas developed and evolved and how they have been received. (TB)

Seeks to uncover the historical roots within English Romanticism of Peter Elbow's thinking in order to show the depth and complexity of his assumptions about writing. Implicitly refutes charges questioning the intellectual credibility of Elbow's work. (TB)

Examines Writing across the Curriculum programs from the perspective of recent movements in composition studies such as multiculturalism, concern for student difference (particularly cultural difference and alternative literacies), and, generally, poststructural and cultural theories. Offers an alternative model for writing across the curriculum.…

Presents three short essays designed to stimulate teachers in their approaches to teaching literature and writing as the school year draws to a close. (TB)

A study of 14 adolescents with learning disabilities and 7 low-achieving adolescents was conducted to evaluate a writing strategy designed to enhance the quality of compare-and-contrast essays. Results indicate the students improved substantially in the clarity of writing, appropriateness, and organization of ideas in their essays, but not in…

Discusses "story grammar" strategies, such as self-questioning, story maps, character and plot development, and comparison and contrast of similar stories, which can be used to help elementary students with learning disabilities or low-achieving students improve their reading and writing skills. Activities are described for each…

Argues that assignments requiring the student to write in a specific genre stimulate formation and retention of critical concepts about the genre. A classroom experiment compared the results of a sonnet-writing assignment with a traditional essay-writing assignment about sonnets, confirming the effectiveness of the experiential approach.…

Presents a report of the Association of Departments of English's (ADE) investigation of issues and procedures concerning assessment in English departments. Offers advice to educators, based on information from department chairs and colleagues. (TB)

Suggests a number of teaching strategies that can be used for the development of authentic voices (instead of institutional, depersonalized voices) in student writing. Focuses on the importance of students' choosing their own topic, developing audience awareness, and making connections between their own lives and literature. (TB)

A ninth-grade English teacher at an urban California high school taught writing through focusing on tolerance. Books by young people who grew up with war, coupled with guaranteed anonymity, inspired and liberated her students to write about real, controversial topics in their journals, gaining them national recognition. Revising, peer editing, and…

Investigates three projects in which preservice teachers enrolled in a content area literacy course used online technologies and literacy strategies to promote learning among students of various ages at schools some 45 miles (70 km) distant from the university campus. Notes that quantitative data show the positive influence of cybermentoring on…

Suggests that possibly one of the most profound changes in classroom writing has come with the ease and excitement of publishing electronic text on the Internet. Discusses publishing student work on the Internet, and Internet publishing of traditional writing assignments, collaborative writing projects, and multimedia presentations. (RS)

Notes that the number of second language writers in composition classes and seeking assistance at university writing centers is growing every year. Explores some insights offered by second language acquisition research. Argues that writing centers may be an ideal place for second language writers to work on their writing. (PM)

Determines effectiveness of the Four Block Literacy Model in increasing students' ability to read. Describes the model along with associated research; describes the methods used to gather data at Ferdinand Elementary School (Ferdinand, Indiana) to establish the effects and perceptions of the program; and reports the actual data collected. Finds a…

Describes an expository writing lesson, taught in the context of a modified writing workshop, that motivates needy students to compose meaningful essays. Explains that this approach promotes self-pacing and independent learning. Concludes that this method helps struggling readers see themselves as writers. (PM)