Forty-eight participants read one of three texts (high explanatory, low explanatory, and standard) that varied in the degree of explanation of basic concepts of elementary probability. Performance test data showed that participants in the high-explanatory test condition did equally well on both formula and story problems. (Author/LC)

Discusses three roles of textbook illustrations--to arrest the reader's attention and arouse interest, to provide explanation and clarification of complex verbal descriptions, and to aid retention of the information presented in the text. It is recommended that illustrations be designed with their specific role(s) in mind. (EAO)

Examines 14 texts for college students in newswriting courses to determine their treatment of news values. Concludes that uncertainty reigns. (HOD)

Pictures in introductory college level psychology textbooks are remembered and retained at significant levels for substantial time periods. (AM)

Defines five modes of writing found in freshman readers, lists percentages of the total selections in 11 current composition readers that fall into each of the five categories, and concludes that few readers are suitable for the kind of service freshman English classes should be providing. (DD)

Notes the readability level of many high school chemistry textbooks is far above students' reading levels. Conducts two separate studies, making every effort to keep the two classes as similar as possible in all aspects except text. Finds strong evidence that changing the chemistry textbook resulted in an increase in student achievement. Suggests…

Considers that, since the textbook is the main teaching tool for instructors, typically teachers select a text based on how well it supports their views of and approach to the subject. Examines pre-1970 texts to see how technical writing has been taught over the years. Examines such features as author's background, contents, assumed reader, and…

Reports on how Dutch instructive texts have changed in the course of this century. Gives insight into the kinds of documents studied. Presents investigation results: the disappearance of persuasive passages and of realistic representations of human beings. Gives a detailed sketch of the development of the algorithmic style. (PA)

Discusses the role of ethics in the public relations curriculum. Notes textbooks used in ethics courses. Discusses how the topic of ethics fares in the most popular public relations texts (basic and advanced). (SR)

Compares undergraduates' preference for and performance with traditional and narrative text. Explores whether traditional expository text could be translated into the narrative mode without loss in student learning. Conducts a statistical analysis of students scores on quizzes, examinations, and a questionnaire. Finds that the narrative is more…

Investigates whether analogical reasoning is included in four major basal reading series and, if so, the nature of such instruction. Finds that three of the four series examined taught analogical reasoning directly, but that the nature and extent of each series' instructional recommendations varied widely. (RS/JAD)

Analyzed is the lack of specificity in the approach to environmental issues in Brazilian biology textbooks. The main reasons for this are discussed and results of an evaluation of the effectiveness of a local publication in the development of environmental awareness among a group of students is presented. (CW)

Analyzes nine of the leading textbooks in the field of curriculum to determine if there are common domains of content knowledge. Points out that there is no dominant textbook in curriculum which establishes a format for other textbooks to follow because there is no consensus on what content knowledge is important for curriculum study. (GG)

Extends and partially replicates a study comparing a segment from a high school history text with revised versions by linguists, composition teachers, and "Time-Life" writers. Finds that revisions by composition teachers were most effective. Suggests that textbook writers revise texts based on comments made by readers as they read. (RS)