Examines the effectiveness of two writing-to-learn formats in helping developmental students master biological information and in decreasing writing anxiety. Objective measures showed a small but significant decrease in writing anxiety over the quarter, unrelated to writing format. Writing format also had little effect on content knowledge, based…

Describes a study of student writing completed in one basic writing program. Measures the effectiveness of individual papers written in the program's two-course sequence by rating each against a modified "primary-trait" scoring scale. Finds that students made gains in the trait areas examined. (EMH)

Reviews research on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator's (MBTI's) use in personalizing the basic writing curriculum. Describes an MBTI-based study of personality and writing performance in a basic writing class. Identifies ways MBTI results can inform teacher feedback and the use of prewriting, small groups, computers, and essay tests. (DMM)

Describes a five-year study at University College, University of Cincinnati, comparing the writing of basic writing students who (1) did not use computers; (2) used a computer and word processing program; and (3) used a supplementary program guiding students through the writing process. Reports no significant differences in writing quality. (DMM)

Reviews studies on the whole-language approach of pairing reading and writing courses to enhance the learning in both. Describes a study of 154 students enrolled in basic writing. Results suggest that simultaneous enrollment in a reading class will not significantly influence ability to pass basic writing. (PAA)

Examines research on the causes of writing apprehension. Profiles high-apprehensive writers, characterizes their written products, and describes their writing processes. Suggests four procedures for dealing with writing apprehension: peer group workshops; positive reinforcement; teaching about writing process, and gradually increasing students'…

Discusses a study of the effects of first year composition students' use of a microcomputer as a word processor on the quality of their writing. Compares students who used the word processor with those who hand wrote their compositions, revealing greater improvement among the word processing group, regardless of initial skill levels. (PAA)

Argues for teaching students to write leads that stress unusual story features and can be used as a peg to hang the rest of the story on. Recommends the use of student writing models, accounts by professional writers about lead writing, and instruction in the rhetorical strategy of contrast/dissonance. (PAA)

Describes a study conducted to determine whether the relationships between reading and writing can serve as the basis of a functional pedagogy to improve the reading comprehension of academically underprepared college students. The study also examined the effects of integrated reading and writing instruction on students' skills and attitudes. (PAA)

Examines the composing processes of basic writers, examining their tendencies toward writer's block, low-level goals, and writer-based prose. Suggests that basic writers be taught that the purpose of writing is to communicate with other people and that errors, revisions, and general messiness are part of the complicated process. (PAA)

Describes a study of changes in attitudes and writing performance of learning-disabled (LD) college students resulting from a mainstream writing class employing a workshop format and microcomputer word processors. The LD students' performance level was consistent with the non-LD students in the class, and their writing attitudes improved. (DMM)

Reviews the history of writing across the curriculum programs and examines two instructional orientations, the general writing approach, which views writing as a unique tool for consolidating learning; and the discipline-specific approach, which focuses on the function or social purposes for writing. (DMM)

Describes a six-week summer remedial writing program at the State University of New York at Buffalo, which utilized instructional approaches designed to accommodate students' learning styles. Results on pre- and posttests of essay-writing ability, sentence fluency, and attitudes toward writing revealed improvements in all areas following the…

Describes various types of writing across the curriculum (WAC) programs and issues in program implementation, examines the implications of WAC programs for teaching basic writers, and outlines some instructional strategies that can be used by teachers to prepare basic writing students for participation in WAC programs. (PAA)

Describes the design, implementation, evaluation and outcomes of using writing across the curriculum in a package of composition, history, and environmental science courses offered to 50 developmental writers attending the University of Minnesota's General College. Writing was taught as a learning strategy related to critical thinking and content…