Drawing from various current grammar systems, this text provides a practical and easy-to-understand handbook of grammar for readers of expository prose (language written for explanation and read for understanding). The analysis in the book is designed to perform two functions: (1) help readers receive with clarity, if at all possible, the…

This paper examines the problem of content reading by elementary school age children and gives teachers advice to facilitate learning of expository text. Armbruster, Anderson, and Ostertag (1987) identified some of the difficulties students have with content reading to be lack of interest, lack of motivation, and insufficient prior knowledge.…

Suggests modeling of thought processes with expository text structure as one method of promoting strategic reading with students. Explains that modeling involves explaining the kinds of strategies used and the reasoning involved in the process of making sense of text. (MG)

Reports the means, standard deviations, and relevant statistics on an examination of the readability of 24 contemporary textbooks that employ a hybrid approach to the basic speech communication course. Discusses some strategies for developing reading skills. (KEH)

Six instructional design principles are recommended to enable students with learning disabilities to comprehend and compose expository materials. The instructional principles are illustrated using the compare/contrast text structure. Charts provide examples and clarification of the strategies. (SW)

This article summarizes the literature on effective textbook instruction and offers suggestions for special educators and content instructors to work together to maximize effective instruction with students who have reading difficulties. Specific techniques for activating prior knowledge, helping students become more active thinkers, and…