Presents a relatively simple set of graphic methods that students can use to sort and organize information that traditional methods of outlining and organizing do not handle well. (JL)

Provides a writing assignment that is based on an actual court case. (FL)

Provides a rationale for including technical writing assignments in a freshman composition course. Describes several possible writing assignments, including descriptions of mechanisms, abstracts, and research reports. Also discusses possible texts and other readings for the class and how such assignments affect student attitudes and performance.…

Recommends using young adult literature to teach basic composition skills. (JL)

Describes a heuristic for writing about literature, especially drama and fiction. Questions from the heuristic cover character, plot, setting, and literary devices. (HTH)

Healthy competition and longer writing projects helped to overcome some of the difficulties associated with the long residencies of visiting writers in elementary schools. (RL)

Discusses length and speed, spontaneity, and discipline as the attributes that affect creative writing assignments, students' development as creative writers, and appropriate methods of teaching creative writing. (RL)

Shows how cloze procedure can be used in teaching writing as well as reading. Contains examples of cloze passages. (HTH)

Describes a project in which students write research papers about a chosen career. Explains that the project is successful because the students view it as a practical exercise. (FL)

Lists several classroom writing activities, including writing in sand, using letters cut from magazines and newspapers, and baking letter cookies. (HTH)

Describes a program designed to familiarize students with library research methods. (FL)

Notes the unintentional humor so often found in directions. Describes an assignment on writing directions carefully--and the humorous results. (RL)

Reviews the literature on sentence combining effectiveness; reports on research suggesting that much still needs to be learned about (1) the effects of sentence combining on writing ability, (2) the interaction of sentence combining with other activities, and (3) the efficacy of using sentence combining exercises beyond the eighth grade. (AEA)

This writing unit with a Halloween theme includes exercises and worksheets to develop prewriting, writing, and rewriting skills. (SJL)

A college freshman level sentence-combining treatment consisting of one paragraph rewriting exercise for 12 consecutive weeks resulted in significant gains in average words per clause and words per T-unit. (HOD)