Noting that little in language can be understood without taking into consideration the wider picture of communicative purpose, content, context, and audience, this book address practical uses of various approaches to discourse analysis. Several assumptions run through the chapters: knowledge is socially constructed; the manner in which language…

Two elements of constructivist pedagogy warrant attention with respect to second language (L2) learning: collaborative dialogue and learner decision-making. These two elements in instruction bring about experiential and task oriented classrooms. The constructivist approach to the L2 classroom foregrounds conceptual development focused on…

Frank Smith (1988) describes a "literacy club" as a classroom where no child is excluded from a wealth of reading and writing activities. One teacher, in designing a literacy club for his classroom, wanted to use a "balanced literacy" approach because using such an approach would allow him to incorporate many different…

This paper asserts that all the praise currently being lavished upon computer technology in the writing classroom should be tempered with realistic criticism. In addition to making research easier for students, the Internet makes plagiarism very easy. The author stresses that this plagiarism problem is not limited to the composition classroom, and…

This action research describes a program for improving writing skills. The targeted population consisted of first and third graders in two middle class communities in the southern suburbs of Chicago. The need for improvement in writing skills was documented through observation checklists, writing samples, and surveys. Data revealed a need for…

This handbook presents materials for 10 DESK (Developing English Skills and Knowledge) workshops designed to assist students with deafness or hearing impairments make a smooth transition from high school to postsecondary institutions by enhancing their English writing skills. The workshops address: (1) demystifying college by allowing students to…

The purpose of this book is to introduce students to writing for the lay public about a few of the many public issues that affect the ecosystems in which we live. This document responds to growing national concerns about student cognitive development and a growing interest in writing across the curriculum. Part I, Chapter 1 is a self-contained…

This book, the third volume in the NCTE High School Literature Series, explores the joys of reading and teaching the stories and poems of noted Mexican American author Sandra Cisneros. Already a fixture in many high school English classes, her works resonate with the challenges and promises of living in a multicultural society, and they appeal to…

The articles in this Proceedings of the 2000 College Reading Association Conference focus on teachers/mentors. Following the Presidential Address, "Literacy 2001: What Is and What Should Be" (J. Cassidy) and the Early Leader, "College Reading Then and Now: How Much of a Difference Has 50 Years Made" (M. Maxwell), articles in…

This action research study, carried out by two university professors in a Texas teacher education institution, examined the beliefs and self-images of preservice teachers as they related to writing and the teaching of writing. It also examined what course elements and activities could contribute to the development of positive attitudes and beliefs…

As computers become an integral part of classrooms, educators need to determine if there are uses of computers that are supported by research. Recent research has examined uses of technology in the classroom for writing instruction, electronic literacy environment, and electronic portfolios. Results of these studies on writing instruction indicate…

This case study presents a portrait of one English teacher within her school and in her professional contexts. It is part of a series of reports investigating methods of successful English instruction which reconciles professional trends with individual practice. The case study examines data collected during 1996-1998 from the classroom of Gail…

This monograph explains dysgraphia in students and offers a range of practical suggestions tailored to individual children with specific dysfunctions that obstruct the transcription of their thoughts to paper. Chapters address: (1) why students avoid writing and the need for students to understand the purpose of writing; (2) underlying processing…

Two studies were conducted to determine the impact of instructional rubrics on the development of students' writing skills and their understanding of the qualities of good writing. In the first study, 303 eighth graders were given an instructional rubric before writing 1 of 3 different types of essays. Results suggest that an instructional rubric…

This paper provides a summary of well established, conventional thinking on the importance of writing to the language learning process. Writing is a central element of language. Any reading and language arts program must consider the multidimensional nature of writing in instructional practices, assessment procedures, and language development. The…