Traces the rising importance of the static abstractions Coherence, Unity, and Emphasis as prescriptive tools in teaching composition from the mid-1800s to the 1920s. Suggests that these terms have since decreased in popularity as organizing principles for composition texts because they fail to show students how to write effectively. (MM)

Existing and potential applications of the computer to writing instruction are outlined, including choosing and developing a subject, text analysis, simulation, and motivation. Some concerns about computer use in writing instruction are also discussed. (MSE)

Material in research and writing skills was integrated into departmental curricula in a Polish university. The intent was to develop students' skills in analyzing the content, reasoning, and forms of technical literature, and simultaneously practice planning written assignments, defining terms, organizing bibliographies, and using footnotes…

Reports results of a preliminary investigation of the feasibility and effectiveness of using word processors for students with poor writing skills. Subjects were 10 hearing-impaired teenagers. A comparison of correcting written work by hand and word processor, a sample of students' written work, research methodology, and possible implications are…

A study shows that advanced ESL students explore and clarify ideas and attend to language-related concerns primarily after their ideas have been delineated. These results call into question the prescriptive approach to writing instruction that is overly concerned with correctness. (MSE)

Discusses computer programs which encourage thinking. The programs, called "artificial intuition," ask questions based on three systems of inquiry, in particular, the heuristics of Aristotle's topics, Kenneth Burke's dramatistic pentad, and the tagmemic matrix. Also discusses research related to these programs and provides examples of…

A classroom game using a group of photographs from which students must derive a story is outlined. Beyond the original game, suggestions are given for further discussion, activities, and manipulation of the materials. Three series of photographs are provided as examples. (MSE)

Writing teachers and researchers collaborate in the Written Literacy Forum at Michigan State University to: (1) heighten teachers' awareness of the complexity of writing; (2) stimulate discussion across grade levels; and (3) focus research on areas concerning teachers. Discussion formats and inservice activities are described, and materials…

Reports on an experiment designed to identify positive variables in the essay writing of Black college students and to use the variables in a new writing course. Suggests that instruction in concepts, skills, and relationships, when combined with consideration of students' diagnosed needs, can result in writing improvement. (AOS)

Explains four visual composition preparations providing both concrete experiences to stimulate student writing and a nonverbal means of teaching the internal structure of discourse. (MM)

An experiment in which students were required to keep journals during a civil engineering course is described. Student benefits (journals as problem-solving tools and forums for personal comments), faculty benefits (sources of background information and use as evaluation/recordkeeping tools), and five major conclusions are discussed. (JN)

Surveyed 187 engineering colleges on composition/rhetoric courses required of engineering students, required and/or elective technical writing courses, and attitudes toward writing/writing instruction. Results from 108 responding institutions indicate that, although administrators support such courses, course implementation does not always reflect…

Authors of "For the Love of Writing" suggest projects that will teach pupils how to write letters that will get responses, thus stimulating interest. Techniques for writing complimentary letters, mystery letters, animal letters, book report letters, bottle and balloon messages, and sending electronic mail are discussed. (PP)

Describes how a Wisconsin agricultural journalism course for nonmajors achieves success, despite large enrollments, through a heavy diet of writing exercises, review questions, out-of-class help, and student presentations. (HOD)

Examines the early writing of a young child over the course of several months to illustrate the struggle with the writing process. Draws parallels between the child's writing progress and that of the author as she learned to be comfortable as a writer and suggests implications for the teaching of writing. (HTH)