Presents 10 guidelines for principals to follow when evaluating their staff's effectiveness in the teaching of composition. (MD)

Notes that the success of a writing effort for technical writers sometimes depends on their ability to bring a group of people together, elicit cooperation and involvement, and put thoughts down on paper. Presents three techniques that may be used to deal effectively with group projects: the group calculator, the Japanese Ringi system, and the…

The accuracy issues involved in detecting student writing skill deficiencies, factors to be dealt with or controlled, and procedural and statistical methods for controlling these factors are the focus of this article. The accuracy needed for effective instructional planning requires stability in writing assessment programs. (DWH)

No matter how intimidated or how blocked, any writer can tap into the vast oceans of creativity within by following the exercises in this book. Broken into small steps, each exercise is easy and takes only minutes to do. Yet each one forms a wave that brings with it a rush of ideas, images, and scenes as it crests. Chapters in the book are: (1)…

Based on the proposition that if people want their electronic messages to get the results they desire, they will need to adopt and practice effective communication strategies, this book introduces strategies that make e-mail messages, Web site text, and newsgroup postings effective. To this end, it teaches how word choice can affect meaning, how…

Notes that the number of second language writers in composition classes and seeking assistance at university writing centers is growing every year. Explores some insights offered by second language acquisition research. Argues that writing centers may be an ideal place for second language writers to work on their writing. (PM)

Lists the following 10 tips for improved sports writing in high school publications: reporting comes before writing; do not try to do too much; show, do not tell; do not do game stories; avoid cliches; avoid "jock-talk"; use the drama of sports; do not write the obvious story; sports is also news; and read great sports writing. (PM)

Argues against the dismissal of grammar teaching, citing research studies which illustrate how grammar instruction improves writing skills. Asserts that teacher training is the crucial issue in effectively teaching traditional grammar. (MM)

Argues that, given the expanding audience of non-native readers of English and the need to translate technical writing, technical writing should be unambiguous and predictable. Explains what syntactic cues are and why technical communicators should use them. Discusses integrating this approach into established documentation processes, and provides…

Discusses several approaches to creating an effective text, envisioning a specific audience and determining how much detail is appropriate. Provides examples from seventh-grade English classes and a literacy methods course for middle-grade teachers. Considers some broader implications of the framework that educators are beginning to consider as…

Presents a strategy that helps English-as-a-second-language students improve their writing by developing a culturally based self-monitoring strategy that guides them through the revision process. Describes how the students enhance their metacognitive cross-cultural knowledge by comparing various rhetorical patterns and improve their metacognitive…

Noting that tutor training remains a persistent concern of writing center administrators, this paper contains the transcript of a tutor training videotape produced by the writing center at Merrimack College (Massachusetts) to augment the center's tutor training. The main parts of the tape transcript are titled (1) "Be Attentive"; (2)…

Proposing an interdisciplinary approach to writing improvement, Carter presents a plan whereby the social studies teacher becomes an advocate for improving writing in all subjects in the curriculum. Provides a teacher questionnaire, a yearly plan for writing improvement across the curriculum, a writing evaluation instrument, and suggestions for…

Describes Project Orillas, a telecommunications network designed to improve the writing skills of bilingual and foreign language students studying English and Spanish in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States. The electronic bulletin board system used for communication is explained and guidelines for joining the network are included. (LRW)

Discusses effective writing techniques to be utilized by technical writers who develop training materials (initial drafts, creating interest, applying instructional technology techniques, use of illustrations, and publication layout tips). A checklist of factors to consider when editing material is also presented. (MBR)