In a personal letter, Chomsky suggests that while the study of grammar has little detectable effect on writing ability, it can, as a branch of science, help students learn how (and why) to think about hard and intriguing questions and to develop natural curiosity. (HOD)

Outlines the principle teaching methodologies to come out of Great Britain in the last 15 years and their recommendations for teaching literature. Although six different approaches are described, all place emphasis on the importance of linguistics as a tool in appreciating and gaining an in-depth understanding of literature. (LET)

Presents an overview of the treatment of linguistic principles in recent French grammar books. (AM)

Offers a review of various veins of thought related to writing instruction such as traditional grammar and rhetoric, discourse processes and cognitive science, and discourse form and sociolinguistics. (SRT)

Questionnaire responses of college students revealed that those pursuing modern language or linguistic degrees (N=63) were significantly more aware and knowledgeable of traditional grammar than were students pursuing other degrees (N=175), although many had studied a foreign language at the secondary school or college level. (CB)