Describes and compares the major approaches to organizing a writing course, classifying them under the following four terms: traditional modes, process, epistemic, and stylistic. Discusses the basic tenets of each teaching philosophy, suggests appropriate textbooks, and identifies various ways of implementing these approaches in the classroom. (JG)

A survey of 62 postsecondary business education teachers aimed to determine the frequency of library assignments in undergraduate business classes. Results, listing frequency of assignments by class, by type of assignment, and by class size, indicate that use of and enthusiasm for library assignments remain strong. (CH)

Discusses how an act assignment exposes students to federal agencies; experts and novices contribute and learn in PR case course; students control in-class PR agency; cabletext service shows good results; advertising focus emphasizes creative writer; writing by number aids story structure; student photo club sells lab supplies, for revenue; and…

The author describes implementation of quality circle assignments in a basic business class. This format is designed to model closely actual experiences students will have in many contemporary American businesses. (CH)

Discusses how property records served as the basis for assignments in one news reporting course. (RB)

A cultural component has been used in one instructor's literature classes at Georgia Perimeter College as a response to Expected Educational Outcome 4 which states: "The students will be exposed to and/or participate in cultural activities, events, and presentations," and to General Education Outcome 3 which states: "The students…

For an instructor who feels the need to teach interviewing skills in the basic course, it is sometimes difficult to fit interviewing into a course that already covers many types of public speaking. An activity is presented that allows instructors to teach interviewing skills in either a one or one-half week time frame (two 50-minute class periods…

In June 1997 a 25-minute television interview program, "The SAU Report," was born at Southern Arkansas University. In January 1998 a 15-minute radio news program titled "SAU Magazine" was produced by Advanced Radio Production students. As 1998 began, with coverage available for SAU student broadcasts, it made sense to encourage…

Many teachers would like to counter what Deborah Tannen calls "The Argument Culture." They recognize that teaching students traditional principles of argument may perpetuate the kind of adversarial thinking that erupts all too often: in aggressive newspaper headlines, on confrontational television shows, in court rooms, and in school…

In 1994, the situation of one writing teacher changed when she joined others at her institution to collaborate on the design and follow through of the Portfolio Composition Program for first-year writing students. Today, the collaboration continues as volunteer full-time faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and other part-time teachers try out…

Students draw a series of pictures that tell a simple story that includes character action, problem and solution. They "read" their story to others, transcribe it into writing, and create an accordion book with the drawings and writing. The activity supports the transition from oral to written storytelling. During the four 30- to 40-minute…

This lesson uses the informational power of the Internet for a prewriting activity. Through various Internet sites, students gather information about the history and celebration practices associated with Veterans Day. Following the prewriting activity, students write content-rich poems that honor veterans. During the 45-minute prewriting session,…

The issue of personal writing is hotly contested in composition studies. Some believe that personal writing has no place in academic writing. In a discussion with Peter Elbow regarding personal versus academic writing, David Bartholomae argues that "academic writing is the real work of the academy." Elbow, on the other hand, argues that…

This book provides a research-based framework and practical strategies for vocabulary development with children from the earliest grades through high school. It emphasizes instruction that offers rich information about words and their uses and enhances students' language comprehension and production. The book guides teachers in selecting words for…