The purpose of this paper is to describe some general relationships between the concepts of literary genre and writing style. The discussion concentrates on the following topics: (1) possible classification schemes for genres, including stylistic aspects associated with each scheme; (2) concepts from literary criticsm that are related to both…

Although modern discourse theory asserts that purpose is most fundamental to writing, it is genuine intention that students' writing most often lacks. Assigned topics compel students to write when the occasion is not genuine and there is no real opportunity to communicate. Research indicates that the two principal modes of writing are extensive,…

General Systems Theoy is a contemporary discipline that profitably lends itself as a new approach to literature. Pioneered by Ludwig von Bertalanffy in Germany in the 1930s, the theory has had successful applications in the United States in philosophy, business, and urban planning. Applications of certain principles of systems theory to A.…

A profile of the articles that appeared in the first ten volumes of "Research in the Teaching of English" indicates that throughout the decade of the 1970s more research effort was directed toward language and composition than was directed toward literature and more toward reading than toward nonprint media. Research for the 1980s should focus on…

Contemporary syntactic theory rejects the idea that prescriptive grammar can provide students with any insights into how language works. For generative grammar, a term for the aggregate of methodologies which currently dominates modern linguistics, rules determining the grammaticality of a sentence do not relate in any way to the rules which make…

Examines change and stability in the history of senior English in Australia and sums up the present position, noting differences within and among systems. (HOD)

Explains why humor should be studied in English classrooms and how humorous writing serves as a vehicle for making its readers more socially conscious of human values. Offers a list of books that can be used in classroom discussions of humor. (RL)

Discusses reasons for keeping film study in the English curriculum. Offers resources for film study and lists some short films that can be used in class. (RL)

Considers the historical perspectives of teaching English to students in technical and vocational education programs. Provides ideas and resources for engaging such students in English study. (JT)

Notes the advantages of using a structuralist approach in poetry instruction. Shows how a structuralist approach makes the reader conscious of operating within a network of signifying systems, and of the relation of those patterns to larger, "external" signifying systems. (RL)

Presents detailed information about school English, a functional variety that has influenced twentieth-century American vernaculars and the writings of most Americans. Sets school English in its nineteenth-century context and comments on factors that have favored its survival. Comments briefly on the Black English case in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (RL)

Examines the problems of spoken poetry, both from the poet's viewpoint and from the viewpoint of adolescents in literature classes. Considers the efficacy of conceptualizing poetry, especially spoken poetry, as popular art. (RL)

Describes the characteristics of academic language (mature expository prose; the formal English of college textbooks). Discusses theoretical and practical issues involved in the procedures for selecting and teaching academic vocabulary, and suggests teaching ideas, techniques, and materials. (RL)

Examines longitudinal prediction of English and Spanish reading skills in a sample of 249 Spanish-speaking English-language learners at 3 time points in kindergarten through Grade 1. Phonological awareness transferred from Spanish to English and was predictive of word-identification skills. Other variables showing cross-linguistic transfer were…

Discusses the status and future of high school journalism. (MS)