Discusses the research carried out by a classroom teacher which investigated students' composing processes when they are asked to observe their own process of writing. Noted three kinds of reactions--anxiety, euphoria, and normal responses. Found that the research project helped motivate students. (ARH)

This book presents 24 step-by-step exercises that help young writers strengthen their own unique talent and voice. It includes information on finding a writing style, finding other writers, trying various types of writing, getting feedback and support from friends as well as adults, preparing a manuscript for submission to a publisher, finding the…

Presents citations, descriptions, and critiques of two current volumes that focus on helping writers to develop better writing skills. (HB)

Argues that grammar instruction is important and should begin early. Lists rules for using the comma, colon, and semi-colon. Notes 10 tips for top-notch writing. Notes grammatical areas often troublesome to students. Includes a short quiz. (SR)

Evaluates "Editor," arguably the most sophisticated grammar and style checker. Tests its effectiveness by using samples from one student and one published writer. Finds that "Editor" is limited to identifying problems in surface structure and that it sometimes identifies "errors" which are not errors while failing to…

Examines the origin of the term "attitude," and how its meaning has changed over the centuries. Discusses theoretical definitions of the term by I. A. Richards and by Kenneth Burke. Discusses its role in the learning process, and how an explicit attention to attitude in the language-arts classroom might help students become better readers and…

Argues that student journalists must be knowledgeable about when to use who/whoever and whom/whomever. Presents five such sentences that confound many writers, and discusses the correct usage. (SR)

Argues that cliches make writing stale and flat, and that getting rid of them is a necessity. Lists the "top 14" cliches gathered by a Columbia Scholastic Press Association judge. Uses examples to show how cleansing a passage of its superlatives and cliches improves the writing, adding clarity, fairness, and objectivity as well as freshness and…

Presents a model for writing comparison/contrast papers which helps students organize and analyze historical information. States that history offers ample material for such writing assignments and that this model can improve student writing skills. (GEA)

Describes a summer writing workshop conducted by author Jake MacDonald for a group of secondary school students. (DF)

Reports how the use of microcomputers in a writing class helped change students' writing behaviors, created a writing community, caused the teacher to learn along with the students, and helped marginal writers improve. (SRT)

Defines different types of student journals and assesses them worth an allocation of class time based on research and samples of student work. (CRH)

Discusses the problems that usually plague high school yearbook writing. Offers 12 rules of style that can help improve feature and news writing in yearbooks. (HTH)

Shows how photography and photographic processes can be used as a metaphor for describing writing and writing processes and, thus, can be a useful teaching tool. Discusses subject, focus, arrangement, and style. Describes how a writing teacher can use all this as a means of illustrating various aspects of the writing process. (SR)

Presents three brief articles written by teachers that 1) describe a collection of approaches that utilize newspapers and magazines as the "excellent teaching tools they are"; (2) plunge students into critical analysis through the use of advertisements in magazines; (3) present ideas on how to teach students to create writing prompts…