This paper describes ongoing work in automated essay scoring that will extend the applicability of models that are currently used for short-essay documents (i.e., less than 500 words). Sponsored by the Fund for Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE), the project would create norms for documents that might normally be found in an…

This response to an article (EC 633 617) on the use of facilitated communication by a Finnish man diagnosed with mental retardation and cerebral palsy urges consideration of simpler alternative explanations (than his authorship of the texts) for the interesting text produced by the process in this case. It urges the use of double-blind, controlled…

Considers what the best assessment practices are for ESL (English as a Second Language) and international students at two- and four-year institutions in the United States. Presents results of an Internet search of one set of prominent American institutions' placement practices. Argues that second language composition specialists need to examine…

Twelve males (ages 8-12) with phonological dyslexia were compared to 12 age-matched good readers and 12 reading-matched students. Results showed that dyslexia is not related to incomplete lateralization or to a failure to inhibit verbal processing in the right hemisphere during reading and writing. (Author/JDD)

Administered measures of oral verbal fluency, written orthographic fluency, and written composition to 300 young children. Boys performed significantly better that girls on oral verbal fluency and girls outperformed boys on written orthographic fluency. Girls consistently outperformed boys on number of words and number of clauses produced in…

Discusses the importance of reading and writing a variety of materials to become a quality writer. (MG)

Reviews research analyzing nature of typical elementary-age children's difficulties with revision process. Notes that studies in which children review prepared texts containing embedded errors have revealed that children tend to overestimate their own and others' comprehension of text, and thus, they do not identify specific areas of text that…

This introductory article discusses the difficulties many children with learning disabilities have in text production skills and how these difficulties affect not only how they write but also the pace and course of their writing development. The influence of spelling miscues on perceptions of writing ability is also addressed. (CR)

This research examined the validity of the theoretical model of reading outlined by the Simple View of Reading when measuring reading ability with a performance-based reading test. Participants were 95 fourth-grade, students randomly sampled from four schools in an urban district. The test we studied employed a mixture of traditional…

In this article a method to improve sentence writing ability called sentence combining is explained. The potential effects of sentence combining are related and relevant research summarized. In addition, how to introduce sentence combining practice to a class, key instructional components including oral practice and peer assistance, sources of…

With support and guidance, graduate students can successfully pursue academic writing for publication. In graduate circles, academic writing is presumed to be a solitary activity for which students already are prepared. Yet, the reality is that students tend to find academic writing difficult and stressful, and they often look to university…

In graduate circles, academic writing is presumed to be a solitary activity for which students already are prepared. Yet, the reality is that students tend to find academic writing difficult and stressful, and they often look to university faculty members for guidance. Faculty members, in turn, may provide hands-on practice and other classroom…

Contends that communication defines humanity and measures all media practice. Proposes that media practice is the quintessential expression and embodiment of contemporary humanity. Explains that in order to make sense of contemporary human experience, a new view of humanity must be developed. Concludes that dichotomies, such as those between…

Examined how information-processing load affects the writing process by having 40 undergraduates write a short essay up to a supplied ending sentence with increasing content constraints. Results found that a high information-processing load led to lower-rated story coherence, but not to lower- rated quality. (36 references) (MDM)

Surveys international businesses in the United States regarding written communication skills required. Finds that there are major writing responsibilities in various departments within international companies, that the variety of documents produced was similar to domestic businesses, and that the major writing deficiency was mechanics. (SR)