This report describes the development of grade norms for timed-writing performance in two modes of writing: persuasive and descriptive. These norms are based on objective and automatically computed measures of writing quality in grammar, usage, mechanics, style, vocabulary, organization, and development. These measures are also used in the…

Discusses the derivation and use of several Spanish figures of speech featuring animals--the ox, the cow, the calf and the bull. (Text is in Spanish.) (CHK)

This study sought to discover the extent of the parallel between the processes of curriculum evaluation and literary criticism in order to clarify the evaluation process. A consideration of both literatures confirmed the presence of the analogy and allowed the development of a concept of descriptive validity as well as the identification of three…

To effectively carry out three-way conferences or any form of evaluation that supports individualization and promotes growth, it's important to learn to describe behavior rather than make inferential judgments or diagnoses. Suggestions for writing behavior descriptions were made. (Author/RK)

An author of children's history books discusses some problems presented by history, including its elusiveness, bewildering supply of conflicting answers, suppression of truth, refusal to repeat itself, evasiveness, tragedy, unpredictability, inconclusiveness, and profusion of useless facts. Also hints at the excitement of the subject. (ED)

Outlines a writing project based on interviews with professional persons; proposes this assignment as an effective alternative to the term paper. (MAI)

A teacher describes how the banning of all forms of the verb "to be" improved not only his students' writing, but also his own. (MT)

Discusses the responsibility of the teacher to provide students with writing opportunities in which the very nature of the subject insures the qualities of vividness and unity important to good writing. (Author/GB)

Believes that by adequately expressing our depths of feeling through language we may come to understand ourselves better. (SW)

Contains suggestions to improve the quality of secondary social studies students' writing. For example, teachers should stagger expository writing activities over an extended period. The intended audience of the writing should include the student's peers. (RM)

Suggested writing projects to stimulate thought-to-theme writing connections involve: (1) haiku based on animals; (2) acronyms as vocabulary builders; (3) aromas and textures as inspiration; (4) writing proverbs and fables; and (5) a "musical chairs" approach to story-writing, with props supplied at intervals to test creative technique. (FG)

Presents an exercise in descriptive writing that shows how to take a subjective statement and support or deny it using a common body of factual observations. (PA)

Describes a three-part exercise used in a first semester freshman composition class, intended to show students the world of details in even the most ordinary, everyday objects by having students write about a plastic coffee mug. (SR)

This anthology presents the creative writing of students in grades 7-12 discussing "Arizona treasures" and celebrating Arizona Statehood Day in 1994. The 36 poems and short descriptive pieces were chosen from over 1,000 entries from students in schools around Arizona. Entries in the anthology are grouped by grade level--grades 7-8, 9-10,…