Argues that a good procedure for starting an essay is to define the topic's central concept, looking up the word in reference books and looking carefully at what it means to the student personally. (SR)

Discussion of the development of critical thinking skills focuses on one undergraduate student's transformations of an example of literary criticism in her essay on "The Woman in White." Finds that within such a context, critical thinking corresponds to a Bakhtinian conception of the "dialogic," in which texts respond to other…

Considers the potential importance of brain study for composition instruction, briefly describes functional imaging techniques, and reviews the findings of recent brain-mapping studies investigating the neurocognitive systems involved in language function. Presents a review of the recent literature and considers the possible implications of this…

Discusses the importance of increasing writing skills among people of all ages and the challenges posed by standard English and formal language. Describes methods used by successful programs. (JOW)

Discusses a survey of ekphrastic writing (poetry that takes its inspiration from visual art) by contemporary poets that "barely scratches the surface" of a genre as varied as the writers who employ it. Points to the rich interactions and crossovers that occur when "word-folk" try to express their encounters with the work of "image-folk." (SG)

Draws on the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins to explore and celebrate a life in composition. Outlines possibilities for individual renewal, particularly through the process of mentoring new members. (SG)

Presents Part Two of the ongoing series Letters to a Young Writer where poet and professor Susan Mitchell corresponds with a contemporary composer as a means of exploring the relationship between poetry and the human voice. Reflects on the role of the poet in a civilization, a "habitat," under attack. (SG)

Claims dominant conceptions of tradition may prevent professionals in the field from realizing the full potential of work in composition. Calls for relinquishing the quest for academic professionalism in defining the work of Composition and constructing a sense of tradition as an active and activating force central to its work. (NH)

Considers how the Internet provides new opportunities for teaching about plagiarism and how to avoid it. Defines and gives examples of three different kinds of plagiarism: direct plagiarism, paraphrase plagiarism, and patchwork plagiarism. Discusses a way of teaching students about plagiarism. Concludes that plagiarism is usually unintentional.…

Suggests that the teaching of both composition and creative writing would benefit from focusing less exclusively on the writing process and products and more on the writing subject. Claims that focusing on the writing subject through the lens of psychoanalysis provides several potential benefits. Concludes psychoanalysis can be a filtrate for the…

Focuses on materials that would be appropriate for use in campus after-school programs; in programs at neighborhood, community, or church resource centers; or in the home for family literacy. Discusses the value of creating literacy backpacks or writing suitcases that go back and forth between the home and the school. (SG)

Considers how in the classroom, particularly, teachers should take advantage of the multiple aspects of narrative time constructed through hypertextual duration, frequency, and order. Uses an ethnographic study of two college courses to illustrate several of these opportunities as they subvert the dominant orders of textuality totalized by…

Presents ways to help young elementary school students successfully write poetry, including: introduce the lesson; share models of student poets' work; demonstrate poetry writing (write for and with children); brainstorm to help students get started; provide sustained time for writing; and regroup and celebrate the students' poems. (SM)

Six ideas for writing autobiographies with elementary school students include: model the writing process to get students started; read examples of autobiographies; brainstorm writing ideas; free-write the first draft; edit and revise; and publish the stories. Suggestions for mini-lessons are included. A student reproducible offers an editing…

Describes a three dimensional poetry genre--a way of rewriting two dimensional haiku in a three dimensional cube that can only be viewed in cyberspace. Discusses traditional versus 3-D haiku, introducing 3-D haiku into the classroom, reasons to teach 3-D haiku, and creating 3-D haiku. (RS)