Describes a four- to six-week project for high school sophomores in which students create pamphlets and in the process learn basic research skills and practice several elements of the research paper. (SR)

Describes several ways in which the newspaper is a useful resource for teaching reading skills and for allowing students to model just about all types of writing. (SR)

Points out that a carefully developed checklist is a valuable writing aide that can help students and instructor focus on successful writing throughout the writing process. Shares five how-to steps as a guide for developing a writing checklist. (SR)

Describes "Grammar in a Nutshell"--a visual-auditory-kinesthetic approach to traditional textbook grammar, usage, and mechanics concepts. Notes that the idea behind Nutshell is that as the students slowly mature in other writing skills they can also grow in their understanding of how to use, how to handle their language, not only correctly but…

Argues that writing models, such as the inverted pyramid, help students of news writing reach more quickly the point at which many of their skills become automatic. Describes the "news in four paragraphs" model for hard news stories, and discusses the limits of models. (SR)

Reprints a 1989 article from this journal describing what happened when students who could not read and write like other kids were turned loose in a computer lab. Updates the article with an Afterword commenting on the earlier piece. (SR)

Reprints a 1985 article from this journal describing how and why the author stopped "fixing" student papers. Updates the article with an Afterword commenting on the earlier piece. (SR)

These guidelines for teaching editing skills to secondary students with hearing impairments focus on: (1) revision, in which students review and refine the content, ideas, and form of their writing; and (2) proofreading and copy editing, in which students examine grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling. Ways to utilize peers as…

Argues that, if teachers want to see real writing improvement with their students, they must become advocates of free voluntary reading. Describes improvements the author has seen in his students, and lists some suggested titles for a classroom library collection. (SR)

Focuses on how educators can teach writing well, with a particular emphasis upon revision. Discusses the prewriting stage, prewriting conferences, drafting, revision, directed revision practice, and evaluation. (MG)

Discusses problems of collaborative writing. Introduces the "collage" as a teaching activity and lays out directions for its use. Suggests several methods for helping solo writers get comfortable collaborating with other writers and improve their solo writing. Attempts to make collaborative writing easier, more inviting, but more complex, and…

Discusses the importance of a good caption for action/reaction photographs in newspapers and yearbooks. Describes how to write a caption; gives sample captions; discusses the four parts of a good caption; and presents a caption-writing assignment, complete with pictures. (SR)

Argues that using evocative details makes for truly effective high school yearbook stories. Notes that the art of observation is crucial. Describes the difference between telling a story and showing it with details that will help the reader see and feel the story through these powerful images. (SR)

Describes some of what educators have learned about the complex task they ask students to tackle when they put them in peer groups to talk with each other about their writing. Analyses the work of one peer revision group and illustrates the complicated work that students can engage in as they struggle to justify their writerly decisions to their…

Argues that writing for the media is utilitarian (not formal) writing, and that slang is acceptable when it conveys meaning. Argues that student journalists need to learn how to analyze slang so they know when to use it and when to avoid it. Offers advice for teachers, and includes two exercises for students on slang. (SR)