This article provides college teachers with specific suggestions for improving students' writing styles and techniques. Elements of readability, sentence structure and combination, and overall construction are outlined and stylistic strategies are explained with numerous examples. (MSE)

The conclusion drawn from this study is that whether an English-as-a-Second-Language student writes compositions directly in English or translates from the first language into English makes no substantial qualitative or quantitative difference in the written products. (14 references) (KM)

Gives seven responses from practicing English teachers concerning ways that they have implemented the writing of various kinds of letters by students into the English curriculum. Demonstrates the efficacy and success of such methods. (HB)

Responds to Thomas Devine's indictment of the process approach to writing instruction, arguing that teaching practices reflecting misapplication of research are often wrongly labeled the process approach and a more precise definition of the process approach should inform debates over its value. Questions Devine's conclusions. (DMM)

Analyzed the verbal interactions during and the narratives produced from third and fourth graders' collaborative writing projects with a teacher or peer. Found that, although the teacher focused instruction on the structural features of the narratives, the students tended to use the narratives to interpret the task and experiment with new academic…

A study explored whether a writing-assessment rubric could be used as an effective teaching strategy with 10 deaf children (grades 5 through 7). From fall to spring, students showed significant improvement in four writing qualities and no significant improvement in five qualities. The ability to individualize rubrics is discussed. (Author/CR)

This article discusses the development of the story form, examines the written narrative patterns of students with learning disabilities, and discusses the reasons for their difficulties with this genre of writing. Instructional approaches are presented that have been effective in improving written narrative skills of these students. (Contains…

Compares two landmark papers in biology to show how different rhetorical choices can influence the impact of a scientific paper. Argues that papers by Watson and Crick, and Avery, MacLeod and McCarty that present revolutionary biological findings provide an interesting and valuable case study for teaching students the importance of rhetoric and…

Self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) is presented as way that middle school students with learning disabilities can learn task-specific strategies for composing. A strategy for planning expository essays is discussed, along with the PLAN and WRITE strategies for teaching basic parts of an essay, different types of sentences, synonyms, and…

Consider need for new pedagogy to address reading needs of high school students. Discusses different kinds of instruction used in a summer remedial program including instruction in: reading strategies; phonics and study skills; reciprocal teaching; grade level content; writing strategies; and rubrics. Concludes that students also need to…

This article describes a course to teach college students with learning disabilities how to become self-regulated learners in writing, through strategies in prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, evaluation, and comprehension. Forms for writing self-assessment are attached. (DB)

A study of four bilingual special education settings found teachers chose different approaches for teaching writing: interactive journals, Optimal Learning Environment (OLE), Writer's Workshop, and a combination of journal writing, brainstorming-planning, and spelling practice. One year later, only participants in OLE demonstrated significant…

Investigates both students' and instructors' perspectives on issues dealing with complications of using collaborative groups. Ascertains whether the costs of collaborative writing projects outweigh the benefits. Explores ways in which teachers can maximize benefits and minimize costs. Concludes that collaborative projects are necessary and that…

Argues that technology has the potential to increase middle school students' personal investment and subsequent engagement in learning. Introduces several strategies that integrate technology with reading and writing across the subject areas. Highlights three strategies: anticipation guide, collaborative learning, and promotion of class…

This exploratory study investigated the effects of a structured writing strategy on the quality of expository compositions produced by 36 African-American college undergraduates with learning disabilities. The strategy was structured to assist students in developing a topic sentence and main ideas into body paragraphs, and in using transition…