Discusses the issue of the instructor's role in the classroom with respect to David Bartholomae's "Inventing the University." Suggests an approach informed by the literary and anthropological theories of Rene Girard. Deals with Girard's views on mimetic desire. Asserts the double-bind of this view--"imitate me; don't imitate…

Discusses the problems of motivating students and teaching persuasive writing. Outlines cultural assumptions about argumentation, the ideas of Jurgen Habermas and the Frankfurt School, Habermas' theory of communication, and its pedagogical implications. (PRA)

This article presents the process approach as an effective way of teaching braille writing to young children who are blind. The writing process used in the primary grades establishes a foundation for development of future literacy skills, and instills enthusiasm and confidence in children approaching the complex task of braille writing.…

Presents theoretical bases for making language (and its study) the essential agent in the generation of thought and meaning. Suggests strategies to engage students (and instructors) in the creation of meaning and the negotiation of knowledge. Argues that such epistemological uses of language can empower developmental students to become early and…

Describes the use of a personality assessment tool, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, to facilitate effective collaborative writing on the job and in the classroom. (PRA)

Presents revised versions of four symposium papers examining the work of linguist, teacher, and educator of teachers James Britton. Includes "James Britton: An Impressionistic Sketch" (Mary Kay Tirrell); "Collaborating with Jimmy Britton" (Gordon M. Pradl); "Rejoicing in the Margins" (John Warnock); and "A…

Argues that Marcia Peoples Halio's "Student Writing: Can the Machine Maim the Message?" (which argues that students using IBM computers wrote better than those using Macintosh computers) is seriously flawed by methodological and interpretive errors. Explains the problems of Halio's article. Notes that the present article grew out of a…

Argues that Marcia Peoples Halio's "Student Writing: Can the Machine Maim the Message?" (which argues that students using IBM computers wrote better than those using Macintosh computers) is flawed by poor experimental design and is filled with questionable logic and evidence. Contends that she overlooks many specific features that make…

Presents a detailed critique of Marcia Peoples Halio's article "Student Writing: Can the Machine Maim the Message?" (which argues that students using IBM computers wrote better than those using Macintosh computers). Rejects the "Macintosh versus IBM" contention. Explores ways technology influences education and the growing…

Responds to criticisms of "Student Writing: Can the Machine Maim the Message?." Argues that cognitive psychologists, human computer interaction specialists, and teachers have provided "heavy support." Supports the use of "Writer's Workbench," the writing topic selection, self-selection, teaching methods, computer…

Looks closely at the words of Whitman's "Song of Myself" to get a closer look at the mystery of poetry. Discusses how Whitman's work can be used with students to inspire their writing. (MG)

Offers a 20-item list (put together by high school students) of features characteristic of Whitman's poems. Uses the list of features to write original poetry. Offers additional writing ideas for use with Walt Whitman's poetry. (MG)

Discusses the historical and current position of writers in the university. States that, as a higher proportion of writers learn their craft and make their living in the university, it is inevitable that U.S. literature will embody a narrower range of settings, occupations, and social classes. (PRA)

Provides a paragraph frame as an organizational guide for developing reports from nonfiction children's magazines. (MG)

Describes the attempts of the Writing Task Force to shape an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) writing curriculum model at the City University of New York. (PRA)