Analyzes writing samples of 22 first graders and 13 second graders to determine how children learn the rules of punctuation. Finds they develop necessary hypotheses which are alternative to the standard end-sentence period placement rule. Suggests young "language scientists" need opportunities to practice this innate trade: rule formation. (NH)

Written for the seventh- and eighth-grade levels, this workbook gives students practice in using context clues and reading comprehension to apply punctuation rules, as well as in carefully reading and following directions. Noting that the activities are based on the idea that punctuation is necessary to make written communication clear, the…

Finds that the proportion of sentence fragments remained fairly consistent across grade levels, with older students making more errors with more complex syntactic structures as they began to elaborate on ideas and use more subordinate elements. (RL)

Analyzes the expressive and stylistic role of punctuation in French literary works, pointing out that this aspect of language deserves more attention by teachers of advanced French courses. Suggests that students should be gradually sensitized to the value of punctuation as a tool for interpretation and production of creative writing. (MES)

Describes a module used to teach ESL students to distinguish phrases from clauses and sentences from nonsentences or fragments, thus enabling them to edit the errors of punctuation out of their writing. A chart of four grammatical units in a hierarchy (single words, groups of words, clauses, and sentences) is included. (Author/PJM)

Suggests ten ways to upgrade writing skills instruction, thereby improving student writing ability. Cites research in support of the ten suggestions. (RL)

Investigates whether English teachers and teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) rate writing samples differently using both holistic (global) and analytical (multiple trait) scoring methods. Findings suggest that the analytical scoring method may be more faithful to real dissimilarities existing between these two groups than is the…

Contains six short descriptions of lesson plans that teachers have found effective in a range of areas: (1) first day confidence building; (2) innovative lessons in punctuation; (3) approaches to teaching the comparison/contrast papers; (4) writing about possible careers; (5) student presentations designed to make literature come alive; (6)…

Reviews the evolution of semicolon use in English, examining the frequency of semicolons, colons, and dashes in grammar, language, and linguistic books from the mid-16th century to the present. Concludes that after flourishing in the 17th and 18th centuries, the semicolon may have become a marginal component of the English punctuation system. (42…

Research with adults has shown that the distortion of visual word features, and in particular of the multiletter features within words, hampers word recognition. In this study, "CaSe MiXiNg" was employed to examine the effect of disrupting visual word features on the acquisition of orthographic knowledge in children. During the training, 18…

This text of Yup'ik (a southwestern Alaskan Eskimo language) orthography is intended for individuals wishing to read and write in Yup'ik as a first or second language. The first chapter gives details on the Yup'ik alphabet and contains a pronunciation exercise. Subsequent chapters present information, with exercises, on: vowels; double vowels and…

A study compared native and nonnative reading styles in order to see whether Japanese readers process text differently than readers whose native language uses a phonetic alphabet. Subjects, 29 native readers of Japanese, 37 advanced-level nonnatives and 39 intermediate-level nonnatives enrolled in Japanese language courses were randomly assigned…

Intended for use by students at any level above grade 3, this practice book helps students use the parts of speech correctly in speaking and writing. The book reviews (1) the kinds of sentences; (2) the use of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives in sentences; (3) capitalization and punctuation; and (4) proofreading. The book is…

A study examined the effect of word processing on students' revision of compositions and attitudes toward writing. Sixty seventh-grade students enrolled in a required writing course were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. The experimental group used a word processor for all stages and aspects of writing, while the…