Intended to help writing teachers better understand how to help students effectively revise their written work, this book contains essays that, as a group, focus on the problem of the definition of revision. The first half of the book discusses the background of revision, while the second half discusses contexts and techniques for application. The…

Addresses the problem of how to motivate revision of papers, such as informational reports, whose topics generate low student interest. Suggests stimulating activities, varied approaches to assigning and presenting topics, and gives examples of some successful assignments. (JG)

Uses text processing (computer) and pen and paper protocols to compare the revising process of professional writers and experienced writers (PhD students). Concludes tentatively that (1) professional and experienced writers do not differ in their approach; (2) the interaction between human and machine influences the writing process; and (3) that…

Discusses strategies for improvement of the mechanical and grammatical structures of written English while still focusing on content in composition. (NKA)

Reviews current literature on coherence in written text, defines coherence in broad terms, and then presents a three-lesson revision unit based on modern coherence principles. In this unit, students "deconstruct" assignment prompts, prepare first drafts, examine another student's first draft, and then revise their essays and examine the revisions.…

This article suggests several proven strategies to help students move beyond the knowledge-telling stage of writing to the knowledge-transforming approach, which involves not only putting one's knowledge into words but the reflection upon, revision, and improvement of that knowledge. Eleven references are listed. (DCS)

Notes the advantages grade 10 English students found in using a word processor: (1) they spend more time reworking text, (2) they are better able to determine needed change, (3) they find the revision process less arduous, and (4) they seem to find it easier to develop a sense of audience. (MM)

This clear, reader-friendly book is carefully designed to help readers gain confidence and acquire competence in their academic writing abilities. It focuses on real people as they write and actively involves readers in the writing process. The authors' innovative approach encourages reflection on how professional writing initiatives connect to…

This report presents national, regional, and state profiles of the target population for adult education, that is, those individuals aged 16 years and over, who have not attained a high school diploma or equivalent and are not currently enrolled in school. The tables contained in this report describe the following characteristics of the target…

This paper describes a method of investigating the role and impact of electronic peer/teacher feedback on the revision process of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) writers. Participants are classes of intermediate or advanced college bound ESL writers who meet in Internet-accessible classrooms. They perform their writing and peer responses online…

Argues that to use computers to help teach the writing process, English teachers must develop both short- and long-term plans for computer usage and must insist on helping to select their school's hardware and software. (MM)

Student engagement during testing in the full range of writing process activities they had been taught was studied. Results with 28 third-grade draft sets, 21 fifth-grade sets, and 38 eighth-grade sets on the Maryland School Performance Assessment writing test show that students' peer responses are unengaged, minimal, and formulaic, and that their…

Subjects (n=93) participated in an investigation of how the number of errors from different linguistic sources affects evaluative judgments about the need for revision in a non-native language. Results of the participation of non-native and native writers of English as well as of English as a foreign language teachers show that lexical errors have…

Argues that grammar correction in second-language writing classes should be abandoned because it is ineffective, harmful, and unhelpful in any interesting sense for theoretical and practical reasons. The article also considers and rejects a number of arguments previously offered in favor of grammar correction. (122 references) (Author/CK)

Investigates the effects of training for peer revision in college freshman English composition classes, focusing on students' ability to critique peer writing; quality of student writing; and students' attitudes toward peer revision and writing in general. Findings revealed an improvement in students' ability to critique peers and in their…