Offers three techniques for helping students learn to revise entire pieces, discover how words work in context, and eliminate errors. (RL)

Design and content of a legal writing program are outlined: premises on which the curriculum is based, program overview, first semester skill elements, law office memorandum preparation, appellate advocacy, grading, legal skills notebook, student instructors. Available from Union University, 80 Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208; $2.50, entire issue.…

The use of a nonlawyer writing specialist to teach legal writing is advocated, based on the author's experience in this role at the University of Washington. The nonlegal perspective is felt to be especially valuable in this kind of communication. Available from Union University, 80 Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208; $2.50, entire issue. (MSE)

Discusses the unconscious process by which humans learn to write through imitation and repetition, and describes the employment of these techniques in English composition instruction. Argues that teacher authority, based on his/her subject knowledge and ability to communicate, is also necessary to student motivation. (JP)

Among the techniques used by successful teacher-writers such as Herbert Kohl, Phillip Lopate, and James Herndon in teaching writing are the use of extensive speaking activities, the accommodation of different writing habits, the admission that writing is difficult, and the use of varied media. (ET)

Analyzes George Orwell's 1946 essay, "Politics and the English Language," to develop an argument about compositional pedagogy and the nature of writing itself. Points out the dangers of promulgating only the "plain style" of language usage and the paradoxical advantages of combining classical rhetoric with radical politics. (RL)

A wide range of instructional methods for teaching haiku poetry is described: readings from a text, lecture on the background and structure of the haiku form, comparisons between modern poetry and haiku, examining contemporary haiku written in English, showing a film, and writing haiku in a workshop setting. (MLW)

A strategy is described that can be used to instruct grammar in composition courses and to reinforce grammar in academic courses, addressing both the problem of grammar theory and grammar application. The strategy is a checklist that the student uses to proofread his essays or other written works. (MLW)

Children learn language by using it in the habitual and repetitive actions of daily life. The question "How do children extend their spoken language competence to writing?" is explored through examples of stories dictated by seven-year-olds. (JN)

Reports that vocabulary choice and linguistic virtuosity are closely tied to levels of writing skill, to cognitive development, and to self-concept. (RL)

Provides a suggested outline for a teacher education course for writing teachers that emphasizes both rhetorical theory and practice. (MKM)

If the instructor carefully plans for formation of small groups and the writing sessions, group writing in a business communications course offers such advantages as rapid feedback, peer response, and a variety of evaluative comments. Small group sessions in composing, evaluating, and synthesizing are described. (MF)

Describes a teacher's work with a small-group Book Club format for adolescents (who were also parents) and a large-group workshop environment at a juvenile detention center. Shows that art creates powerful catalytic links to writing while serving as a catharsis for the young writers. Suggests that art helps them to concentrate thoughts for…

Argues that children are as deep as the ocean, with secret places inside of them waiting to be opened. Notes that it is powerful for students to learn they can make sense of the world through words, and describes inviting them into poetry as they read poetry, create poetry packets, and write and revise poems. (SR)

Surveys college students regarding their use of instructor comments written on their papers. Finds all students tend to use comments; no significant correlations exist between students' ability levels and their propensity to review, understand, and use comments; students were likely to review comments if they had to rewrite assignments; and…