One segment of a year-long descriptive field study of school writing is described in this paper. In particular, the paper examines some of the uses to which writing is put in the first weeks of school in one second/third grade classroom. In doing this, the paper speculates on the writing curriculum in elementary schools and on the realization of…

This paper lists and describes inventionist themes that writers and writing teachers can use during rhetorical invention. It defines invention as the process whereby writers discover ideas to write about, and the inventionist as one who focuses on this discovery process, whether that focus be pedagogical or theoretical. The items included and…

Intended for composition instructors at the college level, this journal contains articles on the various aspects of composition instruction and the writing process. Articles in this issue discuss the following subjects: (1) the state of the art of advanced composition, (2) the structure of advanced composition, (3) a taxonomy of communication acts…

This paper explicates and compares theories of composition that use heuristic or problem solving procedures in order to determine what can logically be expected from the application of a particular heuristic during the composing process. The heuristic models examined include E. P. J. Corbett's selection from the classical topics; R. Young, A. L.…

The 1,175 composition topics that appear in this special edition of the "Illinois English Bulletin" are suggested as possibilities for high school student writing assignments. After a brief statement about how secondary English teachers might use the topics in their classes, the topics are categorized by subject matter and types of composition.…

A writing lab director's rationale for the development and use of a tutors' handbook emphasizes its function as a time-saver for all those involved in the lab and as a morale builder for the tutors. The handbook relates information about the paperwork involved in the lab and about the definition, purpose, and advantages of tutoring. Other benefits…

Clinical report writing involves two interlinking processes--creation and communication. There are six stages of clinical inference that find parallels in generative writing stages: possessing a postulate system, constructing the major premise, observing for occurrences, instantiating (classifying) the occurrences, reaching a referential product,…

As opposed to being a "closed" text (tightly constrained by physical formats, corporate style, and specialized vocabulary), technical writing is actually "open" in the sense that such a text can be interpreted subjectively by an informed audience. Three ethical issues that should be explored in teaching technical writing include personality--the…

Intended for the reluctant writer who finds writing difficult or is unable to put ideas on paper, this guide examines the characteristics of the reluctant writer and suggests strategies for teachers to use when dealing with these characteristics. It also reviews the writing process, categorizes the reluctant writer according to grade level, and…

Recent studies and theoretical constructs pertaining to textual revision (the process of editing and reformulating written discourse) are discussed. The relative effectiveness of various revision strategies is examined, with particular attention given to different strategies employed by skilled and unskilled writers. Implications for researchers…

Compares two methods for evaluating syntactic complexity and maturity: (1) the T-unit method of W. K. Hunt and (2) the sentence weight method of P. DiStephano and S. Howie. Concludes that sentence weight is no more accurate than T-units, and more difficult to compute. (JG)

Suggests a way to stimulate students' interest in writing that involves learning trivia about famous people and integrating it into classroom lectures in the form of anecdotes. (SRT)

Examines the efficacy of main idea clues in four English composition texts, logging main idea statements, tallying main idea clues, and comparing results with those of a similar study of sociology texts. Concludes that main idea statements exist and are pointed to by clues as frequently in English composition texts as in sociology textbooks. (JG)

Argues that studies of another culture (e.g., Appalachian culture) to foster understanding must also include an exploration of the origins of customary behavior, specifically language patterns. Contends that to avoid stereotypic preconceptions of Appalachian ignorance, or illiteracy, students should know that English has always undergone dialect…

Describes method in which students write a draft requiring some writing skill before learning about that skill. Concludes that predrafting (1) enforces first-drafting; (2) shows students their natural writing abilities; (3) emphasizes discovery of substance first, rules and form second; (4) promotes an active student role; (5) arranges learning in…