ERIC Number: EJ680601
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Jun-1
Pages: 11
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0144-3410
EISSN: N/A
Use of Apostrophes by Six to Nine Year Old Children
Stuart, Morag; Dixon, Maureen; Masterson, Jackie
Educational Psychology, v24 n3 p251-261 Jun 2004
This paper investigated six to nine year old children's ability to use contractive and possessive apostrophes, the effects of type and token frequency, and the effect of teaching on this ability. Apostrophes provide an interesting opportunity to examine the basis of frequency effects in rule inference, as type and token frequencies dissociate in apostrophes found in children's early reading materials. Teaching effects are now open to inspection as the National Literacy Strategy Framework for Teaching lays down a specific and detailed curriculum and teaching timetable. Results showed that token but not type frequency influenced children's correct use of apostrophes. There were also effects of teaching.
Descriptors: Punctuation, Elementary School Students, Reading Materials, Literacy Education, Teaching Methods, Inferences, Measures (Individuals), Spelling, Grammar
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 1; Grade 2; Grade 3; Grade 4
Audience: Teachers; Researchers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A