Compared Japanese first language (L1) and English second language (L2) organizational patterns in the argumentative writing of Japanese English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) student writers. Made within-subject comparisons of L1 and L2 compositions in terms of organizational patterns, organizational scores, and overall quality. (Author/VWL)

Contends that failing to learn to write and read in the early years results in more special education placement, retention, and poor self-esteem for the learner than any other cause. Proposes that computer technology may have many benefits for children with such learning difficulties, including motivational aspects and developing fine motor…

Examines the extent to which the provision of selected collateral material can enhance students' enjoyment of their writing tasks, and their performance in a context where although English is the official language, it is little used and much resisted by students for whom the language of choice for social interaction is the local Creole.…

Discusses how research comes alive when students explore a range of alternate genres instead of writing the traditional research report. Notes that multigenre writing helps most students grow as researchers, thinkers, and writers while they develop a fundamental understanding of the different purposes for which text can be used. (SG)

Reviews research on the role of written teacher feedback in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) composition classrooms. Argues that becoming aware of the issues surrounding written feedback, teachers must avoid the adoption of a dogmatic approach that does not allow flexibility in accordance with changing student needs. (Author/VWL)

Compares evaluation criteria for writing held in two contexts; explores the criteria used to evaluate English-language student writing by German and United States secondary school teachers; and compares the rank ordering of three essays given by teachers from these three groups. Presents results that have important implications for writing…

Notes that communication across the curriculum initiatives face multiple curricular and pedagogical challenges that are especially appropriate for investigation within a scholarship of teaching and learning framework. Examines technical classes that emphasize speaking and writing. Indicates that students were resistant toward the incursion of…

Concludes, derived from three years' work with high school and college writing classes, that students need to practice reading one another's work while giving and receiving feedback. Describes a program in which writing teachers of college-bound high school seniors and freshman college composition teachers designed writing assignments that all of…

Argues that three familiar areas of inquiry in future second language (L2) writing research need to be investigated in more sociopolitically-oriented ways: written products, writing processes, and writer identity, and that qualitative case studies are well suited to explore the extraordinary diversity of L2 writers and writing contexts from an…

Reports on the writing and teaching experiences of nine Western-trained Chinese Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) professionals in China. Findings show that participants were all conscious of their biliterate/bicultural intellectual identity. Most participants were persistent in promoting a direct and linear English approach…

Describes a new reading and writing intensive course developed for college level intermediate German. Discusses reasons for developing such a course, its theoretical underpinnings, course content, teaching methodology, and assessment mechanisms. (Author/VWL)

In the present study, middle school students were directly taught strategies that facilitated the execution of writing processes, skills, and knowledge involved in planning, drafting, and revising text. Students in the experimental treatment condition produced essays that were longer, contained more mature vocabulary, and were qualitatively…

Describes a group of teachers who worked with multigenre possibilities as an alternative to traditional research papers, while trying to teach some principles of research. Details how the students were offered three options: a screenplay, a multi-genre paper, or a monologue. Outlines the successes and failures of each project. (PM)

Proposes that the multigenre concept can be a major force in developing writing ability and writing enthusiasm in students. Notes that the point of a multigenre paper is to convey a unified message which is reflected not only in the content of the individual elements, but also in how they work together. Proposes that if this necessary unity is not…

Describes "Tell Me A Story," a class activity that serves as an open stage for performers to tell tales of adventure, horror and romance and during which students are encouraged to have fun and diverge from the expected. Proposes that a class learns valuable skills and lessons by collaborating in the creation and assessment of such…