Traditionally writing is taught in three segments: discourse, syntax, and grammar. Research in the 1970s questions this and shows that formal grammar study does little to improve student writing. Some educators are now showing that students learn English structure and grammar best as they find they need it through their own writing experiences.…

Writing samples were analyzed for syntactic maturity, productivity and word selection; for conventions such as tense and number markers and number agreement; and for spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Only spelling performance proved significantly different in favor of low achievers. (Author)

In a study of advanced shorthand students, the following were the most frequent transcription errors: punctuation errors, substitutions, spelling or English usage errors, poor corrections, omission in notes, and incorrectly written figures. Constant reviewing, testing, and drills in these areas were recommended. (CT)

Tells how one teacher provides English instruction by simulating an atmosphere of medical internships and consultation. Notes the benefits of such a classroom game. (RL)

A comparative study of students' scores in mechanics and usage on standardized tests and ratings of actual writing samples. (DD)

Punctuation in its elocutionary function serves as a set of instructions for reading aloud. In its syntactic function, it serves to convey meaning. Results of a study indicated that many people retain the belief in the elocutionary purpose of punctuation and are insensitive to its syntactic function. (JD)

Describes five teaching methods concerning the social nature of writing, basic writers writing letters to the editor, journal writing, homophones, and punctuation. (RS)

Argues that recent teaching strategies geared toward improving student writing through positive reinforcement have resulted in mediocre writing products. Suggests that mechanics be given the same value as content in the evaluation process. (KEH)

Argues that emphasis on process has reduced the amount of time teachers spend teaching basic editing skills. Offers eight suggestions for incorporating instruction in punctuation into a process approach to writing. (MS)

Argues that the history of punctuation in the English-speaking world offers tangible evidence for the evolving interplay between speech and writing. (Author/VWL)

Evaluates the effectiveness of a contingency contract for a ninth grade male student with behavior disorders enrolled in a self-contained special education classroom. The contingency contract was used to help him with written communication in punctuation and capitalization. The effectiveness of the contract was examined through a multiple-baseline…

Using straightforward, easy-to-understand language, this handbook of English provides hundreds of examples to illustrate in specific detail what is proper in all areas of English grammar, style, and writing. The handbook provides learning exercises at the end of every chapter for a thorough review of the concepts covered in the chapter. The first…

The 1986 report by the Canadian Task Force on Aboriginal Languages, which recommended that the writing systems used for the northern Dene languages be standardized within 10 years, resulted in the 1987 Dene Standardization Project. The mandate for the project was to make recommendations on orthography standardization as the first step in the…

Intended for use by students at any level above grade 2, this practice book helps students recognize and correct sentence fragments, edit sentences for subject-verb agreement, use nouns and pronouns correctly, use present and past tense, and capitalize and punctuate sentences and abbreviations. The book also introduces students to the correct…

Most students today have been reared on television and have had only slight brushes with the parts of grammar. Nevertheless, a variety of sentence pattern exercises and sentence combining lessons based on the students' own writing can be used to augment, challenge and improve students' writing skills and vocabulary. In the first exercise, students…