This study involved 103 kindergartners, 52 of whom received instruction on a picture-word processor system. Results indicate that students who received the picture-word processor instruction responded enthusiastically to the system and did significantly better in reading than those who received no instruction. (SH)

Presents a positive view of collaboration in rhetorical scholarship, citing both the theory in favor of it and the positive experiences of scholars in the field of rhetoric. Offers some guidelines for successful scholarly collaborations. (PRA)

Examines the relationship between technical writers and their texts. Suggests the amount of ownership any writer has varies depending on context; therefore, in technical writing, the more a document represents an organization, the less likely the words and ideas are to be solely under the control of the writer. (NH)

Offers a brief history of portfolio assessment, addresses question teachers should consider when implementing portfolios, and gives a classroom scenario using portfolios. Describes the impact of portfolio grading on students, discussing power issues and student attitudes, and increasing student power. (SR)

Argues that students need a course in grammar and that the teaching of grammar should not be considered remedial. Discusses grammar at the college level, and making grammar relevant to high school and college students. (RS)

Surveys British academics. Reveals a divide between writers who favor a word processor as their main writing tool and those who favor the pen or pencil. Finds that word processors are both indirect and delayed. Suggests that educators may need to legitimate handwritten drafts or reversion to handwriting for some word-processor users. (RS)

Describes a writer's professional relationship with the scholarly figure of David Bartholomae and his collection of writings. Considers the issue of authority, social class, and tone in a writer's relationship to his or her sources, subjects, or readers. (TB)

Describes the attitude of the author, a journalism instructor, who emphasizes in his classes that journalism is work worth doing, even fun, despite the fact that its hard work for low pay. Notes the importance of accomplishing this while also demanding meticulousness in students' work. Describes ways the author accomplishes this. (SR)

In this book, author Peggy Campbell-Rush shares the strategies she relies on to teach young students not only how to read and write, but also to love to read and write. Teachers will find close to 100 tips, ideas, and activities that they can implement immediately, including: the dos and don'ts for reading aloud; putting new twists on tedious…

The roots of technical writing are deeply planted in the field of mining engineering, with its emphasis on economics, value, and social stability. In the mid-16th century, Georgius Agricola published "De Re Metallica," a compilation of knowledge about mining and metallurgy. Agricola sought to explain the reasoning behind some of the…

Researchers investigated the influence that perceived choice of music would have on student writing productivity. Participants included 2 fourth-grade classes in Louisa and Madison Counties, Virginia, for a total of 32 students. A survey was used to determine participants' preferences of music. A quasi-experimental design was utilized to…

Interviews Kim Stanley Robinson, a well-known science fiction author. Discusses his reasons for writing science fiction, his writing influences, and writing techniques. Explains his interest in science and the relationship between music and his writing. (PM)

Discusses Linda Sue Park, the 2002 Newbery Medal winner, and includes excerpts of an interview with her. Notes that her diverse writing career began at an early age. Discusses writing Korean "historicals" and researching her other books. Identifies mentors as an important characteristic of both her life and work. (PM)

Argues that student journals provide the basis for helping students learn to teach themselves and explore their attitudes and beliefs about writing, and strategies for writing. Reviews the historical uses of journals, the different educational uses of journals, and the use of the journal in the writing classroom. (DMM)

Presents a letter written by a professional writer (and a former high school and college teacher) to a young female student who has started writing poems. Discusses why and how she writes. Urges the student to continue writing. (RS)