Appraises the results of an exercise in which students in a composition class attempted to write detective stories. Concludes that many of their syntactic errors result from their intentions exceeding their level of writing skill. (RBW)

Discusses two types of video field trips: (1) motivational tapes which include interviews and tours and are designed to relate writing skills to job success, and (2) tutorial tapes, which include interviews, discussion films, subject films, and videotape projects, and are designed to enhance specific assignments in a technical writing course.…

Points out that students can be motivated to improve their writing if writing assignments can be designed to be similar in scope and purpose to those that the students will be doing later in their professions. (EL)

Presents a model for a technical writing course with special emphasis on the needs of English as a second language students. Explanations of assignments focus on the rhetorical, syntactical, and grammatical features to be stressed. Also considers problems resulting from cultural differences, and the advantages and disadvantages of the sequence.…

Describes the problems of writer-based writers, who are unable to select and relate their knowledge effectively, and proposes exercises to develop their writing skills. (MM)

Suggests methods of promoting original writing in the classroom, from freeing writing from the notion of failure to working with word variations and rhythms. (MM)

This book presents 113 writing "workouts" (exercises) to help students, and especially teachers, think about the small steps writers take as they learn their craft. The workouts in Part I, Writers Speak Up, are intended to help novice writers develop confidence in the value of their experience. Part II, Writers Pay Attention, presents challenges…

This guide to the Georgia Middle Grades Writing Assessment (MGWA) serves the purpose of improving writing and writing instruction. It includes a description of test administration conditions, a sample test booklet, and a structured overview of the writing assessment. Prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading are explained in the…

This Read*Write*Now! activity poster presents, on one side, a colorful image of Arthur the Aardvark encouraging adults and children to share the fun of reading and writing, and, on the other side, 5 fun and challenging activities for reading time. The activities are designed to expand a child's interest in and enthusiasm for reading and writing…

Argues in favor of teaching thesis and the forms of exposition by means of assignments such as personal narrative, autobiography, and observation out of direct experience. Describes one such assignment. (RL)

The two studies reported explored the feasibility of computer assisted composition in helping school-age children handle high-level aspects of the composing process. The results are discussed, and lines for future investigation of computer assisted writing programs for the novice are suggested. Eleven references and two additional sources are…

Describes a two-step process that helps high school students to focus on their values, interests and abilities and to set future educational and career program goals. The method described includes the writing of a personal resume and an autobiographical essay. (RC)

Presents a set of writing assignments and class activities for helping students to define their own writing problems, set their own goals, and evaluate their own progress. (RL)

Stresses the virtues of one technique and the limitations of another technique for focusing on a writing topic. (RL)

Offers three techniques for helping students learn to revise entire pieces, discover how words work in context, and eliminate errors. (RL)