A detailed rubric initially designed as a scoring instrument for grading APA-style empirical research reports was tested for its ability to help students improve their scientific writing skills. Students who used the rubric while preparing their reports wrote a higher quality report than did students who did not. Students also improved the quality…

Previous research has shown that when students are required to submit a draft and a revision of their writing, large proportions of students do not improve across drafts. We implemented a writing assignment in which students were permitted to submit up to four optional drafts. To encourage substantive revisions, students were awarded additional…

We examined how writing cover letters to the instructor influenced final papers in research methods courses. After receiving instructor feedback on drafts of each section of an American Psychological Association style research paper throughout the semester, students in two classes wrote cover letters to the instructor explaining how the instructor…

In a semester-long, peer review assignment, undergraduates enrolled in a social psychology course wrote essays that applied course concepts to life experiences. Students anonymously posted essays for the entire class to view, and peers posted commentaries on classmates' essays using an online discussion board. Students rated the assignment as…

Describes the use of a clustering technique developed to improve writing skills and facilitate thinking in classroom settings. Involves presenting a relevant work at the beginning of each discussion section of an introductory psychology class. Defines clustering as writing down a word or phrase and engaging in free association. (Author/NL)

Discusses various ways that writing can facilitate learning in a developmental psychology course. Argues that writing assignments are valuable because they promote active learning and provide another way to teach psychology. (Author/GEA)

Describes a writing assignment based on the main character of a novel, an autobiography, or a biography about mental illness. Requests students to describe the characters' symptoms, to provide a diagnosis, to suggest a treatment plan, and to describe the treatment received. Notes the assignment promotes critical thinking and empathy for the…

Explores the use of journals as teaching tools. Finds modifications are necessary to accommodate the differences between the psychology professor's goals and the composition teacher's goals. Recommends using dialectical reasoning entries and lists some practical methods to encourage students to think critically. (NL)

Suggests specific approaches to critiquing A student's paper motivates THE student to produce better papers and to improve writing skills. Warns against overemphasis on the mechanics of writing, and points out steps the instructor may follow to involve students in the editing process. (NL)

Suggests an intervention method designed to teach undergraduates how to write literature review papers. Develops a series of exercises addressing typical student difficulties in completing assignments. Provides a sequence of assignments designed to teach students to formulate a topic, summarize articles, and integrate findings. (Author/NL)

Describes a peer tutoring program and how it was implemented in an introductory psychology class. Presents data suggesting that both students and instructors found the program useful. Reports students with high scores on the English Placement Examination were invited to enroll as peer tutors. (Author/NL)

Describes a method for teaching writing based on a psychodynamic theoretical orientation and critiques other conceptualizations. Gives examples of the hermeneutic dialogue that teaches writing through an interpretive exchange between student and instructor. Explores the difficulties with this method as well as others reviewed. (Author/NL)

Compares two studies in which the effects of a writing component in introductory psychology were measured. Evaluates the impact of the format on students' writing skills. Notes essay questions were restricted to four rhetorical forms previously encountered by students in freshman composition classes. (Author/NL)

Describes and evaluates seven organizational/motivational academic research guides, and points out their value to the dissertation writer. States doctoral students frequently rely on major professors and fellow students in learning how to plan, execute, and document their work. Recommends incorporating these guides into dissertation strategies.…

Examines journal writing as a teaching/learning technique enabling students to connect specific course concepts to their experiences. Uses a questionnaire to assess student attitudes toward journal writing. Finds students believe journal writing stimulates critical thinking and provides feedback about learning. Teachers agree journals provide…