Reports on a computerized statistical study of discourse bias and the specificity of female writing against male writing. Examines the characters in 20 novels written by male and female Francophone African authors. Finds a number of significant differences that characterize the make-up of novels by the two sexes. (CFR)

Reports on the scholarly content of four widely adopted introductory college sociology textbooks and the scholarly activity of their respective authors. Finds that, although all used a wide variety of source materials, there were substantial differences in source selection. (CFR)

A survey of 22 writers, 27 artists, and 12 musicians compared their substance use (caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens, cocaine, tranquilizers, stimulants, and narcotics) with that of a control group. In general, no significant intergroup differences were found. Older participants used marijuana less than younger participants.…

In his works, Richard Wright denounces murder while advocating collectivism as an essential ingredient for effecting social change. The short story collection "Uncle Tom's Children" and the novel "Native Son" are the focal points in this analysis of Wright's recurring themes. (SLD)

Four African-American and West Indian novels of childhood illustrate relationships and bonding between mothers and sons: (1) "Go Tell It on the Mountain" (James Baldwin); (2) "Not without Laughter" (Langston Hughes); (3) "Amongst Thistles and Thorns" (Austin Clarke); and (4) "In the Castle of My Skin"…

A study of the relationship between faculty publishing and career advancement at the University of Sydney (Australia) controlled for both gender and discipline. Results revealed some previously unseen dynamics of authorship, bringing into question common assumptions about solo vs. multiple authors and order of author names. Some discipline-related…

To investigate the merits of single versus multiple authorship in scholarly journals, several journals were examined regarding degrees of single versus multiple authorship, posture of multiple authorship, and author-article ratio of three physical education, recreation, and dance periodicals. The article discusses ramifications of the increasing…

Reviews trends in copyright law, including changes resulting from technological advances that include audio and video tape recordings, motion pictures, photocopying equipment, CD-ROM, and multimedia; amendments to the law, including administrative issues; compensation to authors of computer software programs; court cases; and a movement toward…

Discussion of the use of teleconferencing by teacher-librarians focuses on teleconferences between middle school students and authors as part of reading motivation programs. Topics addressed include costs, how to contact authors, how to prepare students, procedures during and after the teleconference, benefits to students, and limitations of…

Presents a transcript of an interview with successful young adult author Jerry Spinelli. Describes the techniques and writing strategies used by Spinelli. Discusses ways of generating stories, and the author's concept of his audience. (HB)

Describes a study that investigated the types of rhetorical structures that beginning-level Spanish students encounter in their textbook reading materials. The intent of the study was to determine whether there was a match between the types of structures that English-speaking students are most typically able to demonstrate awareness of and the…

All societies have official knowledge. Life of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, 17th-century nun and literary genius, illustrates who discovers knowledge is more important than what knowledge is promulgated. Real issue was not what Sor Juana wrote but whether nun or woman should engage in producing and publishing knowledge. Her efforts have inspired…

Discusses the concepts of "American" and "unAmerican" in terms of national literature of the United States. Provides a critique of the way the literary canon of America is constructed and taught. Describes as treasonous and "unAmerican" much writing by women, as exemplified by the works of literary regionalists in the…

Discusses (1) the place of Native American literature in the literary canon; (2) who determines Indian identity and images, and the emerging inter-American indigenous identity; and (3) children's literature as a means of portraying true Indian culture and identity, thereby improving self-esteem and school success of Indian children. (SV)

Writers' workshops are a type of small-group interaction designed to provide middle school students with a forum for sharing their writings and receiving direct and functional feedback to support their rethinking and revising. Students in one sixth-grade class learned that other students could comment as insightfully on their writing as their…