In this program profile, we describe the development of a new track in Science Communication (SciComm) for an existing Professional Writing minor offered by an independent Writing Program. We identify the international and local exigencies for improving SciComm; the resources needed for this new track--both those already in place and those…

Written communication skills are often among the most important applied skills sought by employers when hiring graduates of colleges of agriculture. However, recent reports cite a gap between employers' expectations and graduates' levels of preparedness in key applied skills, among them "effective written communication." One critical…

The authors outline the basic structure of akshara, the basic unit of writing in Indic writing systems used widely in South and Southeast Asia; present preliminary studies relating to reading, assessment, and instruction of akshara; and outline recommendations for future studies.

College English writing instruction has been a prominent research area in EFL field in mainland China. This paper has continued the focus by exploring a seemingly effective way for college English writing instruction in China--teaching writing based on reading on the basis of the "output-driven, input-enabled" hypothesis. This hypothesis…

This paper details an assignment sequence that requires graduate students in an applied communication program to identify problems that clients may not be aware of. Good writing and good problem-solving are "inextricably linked to [a student's] ability to frame an issue, gather, and analyze information, and to structure a helpful response" (Musso,…

Offers advice on structuring the college technical writing course. (RL)

Discusses the New York Institute of Technology's On-line Campus (OLC) program and then examines difficulties that arise in adapting a traditional course syllabus and structure to the "conceptual" classroom of a fully online composition class. Proposes an evolving syllabus as one solution to these difficulties. Discusses issues raised by…

High school teacher Karen E. Moynihan creates a multimodal project inspired by the creative nonfiction style of "The Orchid Thief" by Susan Orlean. Students choose a collectible item and immerse themselves in the subculture of the collectors. The project includes participation in library and field research, interviews, photography and graphic…

Examines the four steps a technical writing teacher should follow in organizing the technical writing course and in allowing for adjustments during the course. (RL)

Presents and discusses a course outline for a high school playwriting course (for which English credit is earned). Offers several writing assignments and a series of sequential steps designed to help students reach the goal of writing a one-act play. (SR)

Identifies problems in the nature and execution of remedial writing courses and suggests possible solutions to these problems. (JL)

Reports the findings of a survey of members of the American Business Communication Association on the administration policies, course requirements, grading criteria, and staffing of business communication courses in their schools. (HTH)

Discusses the following issues associated with designing ideal university microcomputer classrooms: (1) campus vs. departmental classrooms; (2) finding space; (3) furnishings; (4) classroom layout; (5) selecting hardware; (6) selecting software; and (7) funding. (MM)

Describes an advanced composition course involving individual projects which encourage collaboration. Outlines the class, describes how selected students have responded to different elements of it, and comments on what the teacher has learned from it. (SR)

The areas composition teachers must address when developing a sound system of conferences with students include defining the conference, scheduling, preparing, conducting the conference, and keeping conference records. There are four general kinds of conferences: (1) the diagnostic conference for discussing students' writing experiences and…