Reviews four computer programs that check grammar, punctuation, and spelling; discusses their applicability in the business writing process. (AEA)

Discusses the use of the comma in Spanish and gives examples of its use in Spanish literature. (NCR)

Demonstrates the role of punctuation in relation to the syntax, communicative value, and semantics of the French sentence. (AM)

Discusses the uses of the comma in Spanish and shows a poem that can be interpreted in different ways with different punctuation. (NCR)

Describes two ways to combat "bad tone" and "unclear thinking" in writing. Describes "breaking the ice" as being aware of a written message's appearance--the message's readability. Explains that "fog-lifting" is accomplished by writing clearly, and by paying particular attention to the verb "to…

This article presents several punctuation activities that help students practice dialogue-writing skills. Teachers can help their students become intrepid reporters by providing them with story ideas or by inviting them to develop their own "scoops." In addition, comic strips can also be used for dialogue-writing practice.

This study investigated the relationship between components of working memory (WM) and the macrostructure (e.g., planning, writing, and revision) and microstructure (e.g., grammar, punctuation) of writing. A battery of WM and writing measures were administered to 160 high-school students. Overall, hierarchical regression analyses showed that the…

Students in higher learning institutions need to write lots of reports based on the projects done. Since they are at the tertiary level of education, they are required to use English in their reports. This is to ensure that they are able to function well in English later at the workplace. Writing requires students to apply rules regarding sentence…

This article describes a project which identified the skills and abilities in written literacy of pre-service teachers, as well as their needs in this area. An intervention to address their needs is evaluated and its outcomes assessed, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative analyses. Results show that it is possible to improve these…

This comprehensive and innovative style manual has been designed to be clear and jargon-free, to serve as an alternative to the often confusing style manuals of years gone by. The manual is intended for use by students, professionals, and writers at any level. The manual, created by an expert in linguistics and lexicography, provides: (1) an A to…

Missing apostrophes, misplaced apostrophes, and unnecessary apostrophes are all common occurrences in many forms of written American English. The fact is there is no adequate explanation--in traditional grammar or in any other grammar--that accounts for all the functions and transformations that grammarians have crowded under the heading of the…

This new edition, intended to help the student achieve a simple and clear writing style, contains new material--chapters on the research paper and on the resume and application letter, an appendix on parts of speech, and a number of revision-practice sentences. The three sections of the book deal with preparations for writing, explanations and…

Characters in this short play, designed to interest students in learning about punctuation, are punctuation marks. (MKM)

It is proposed that speech rhythm, adapted to needs of written language, should constitute the basis of sound punctuation. It is the failure to recognize this principle that has led some writers to recommend a punctuation system that is mechanical rather than natural and meaningful. (CHK)

Suggests that college remedial English courses should deal with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and coherence by means of reading aloud, dictation, and imitation. (DD)