The ways in which our common ways of teaching the art of writing differ from successful practices in teaching the fine arts are analyzed.

The intellectual content of freshman English includes both the subject of writing itself and the subject the student writes about. Writing has often focused on personal subjects with the assumption that the student knows himself or herself and that the student has developed a point of view allowing intelligent writing. A second source of subject…

Those who argue for the inclusion of literature in composition courses point out that English teachers must teach from their area of expertise and that the use of literature endorses creative and imaginative use of language, avoids what is merely utilitarian and boring, and promotes growth in thinking. Those who oppose the use of literature in…

Intended as an aid to teachers of composition, this course guide focuses on the minimum essentials of writing included in elective courses at two general grade levels: 9-10 and 11-12. Emphasizing quality in composition rather than quantity, the guide provides a scheme of sequential composition experiences and suggests individualized instruction,…

In order to provide 11th and 12th grade English students (in both standard and academic classes) with a more stimulating set of course offerings, a program was developed which incorporates one required course, communication skills, to be taken during the first school quarter and three elective courses to be taken during the remainder of the school…

The secondary English curriculum outlined in this guide consists of a required course during the freshman year followed by three years in the elective program, during which each student is expected to complete a one semester course in each of the three basic areas of language, literature, and writing plus three more courses from any one area. This…

This paper (1) discusses the SQ3R formula for reading: survey, question, read, recite, and review; and (2) proposes a similar formula for remedial composition; R3SW, which means, read, search, select, study, and write. An example of this formula is given, using imperative sentences as the understood subject. In using the composition formula during…

The methodology and content of the modern behavioral sciences as reflected in the writings of John Upton, C. K. Ogden, I. A. Richards, and Jean Piaget were used in creating a one-semester controlled experiment in Freshmen composition. Depending primarily upon Upton's "Creative Analysis," this program resulted in significant gains in IQ…

Describes recent changes at Michigan Technological University from a heavily literature oriented freshman program to one that develops writing skills, especially technical and business English skills. (RB)

College students are not mature enough to benefit from an intensive course in composition till their junior years. (JH)

Uses history of the teaching of English at Yale to put the back-to-the-basics movement in historical perspective. (AA)

Seeks a redefinition of departmental goals and criteria for promotion. (AA)

One educator's interdisciplinary interests in literature, film, and culture studies led him to the establishment of "Film Study," an upper school English course in which students develop a sense of "film literacy" through detailed "reading" of visual images; in addition, students evolve a working critical vocabulary…