Describes a three-step reasoning process, Toulmin logic, which can be used in teaching writing. (MKM)

This capstone dissertation inquiry project focused on the underperformance of English language learners (ELLs) at a high school. The Clark and Estes' (2008) gap analysis model was the analytical framework used to conduct this inquiry. At the request of the school, the inquiry focus was on gaining a better understanding of the underachievement…

Demonstrates how the tragedy of the 1986 space shuttle "Challenger" provides an example of how communication through memos and letters concerning O-ring problems went awry. Presents some methods by which the technical writing teacher might incorporate this material into their writing curricula. (HB)

Claims that computer-assisted instruction can be a feasible option for the basic writing classroom. Argues that developmental writers must have the opportunity to use computers to enhance the writing process and improve critical thinking. Advocates using computers to go beyond sentence-level writing errors. (HB)

The primary data source for a study oF entry into postsecondary education was the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972. From this data it was seen that almost one-third of high school seniors enter four-year colleges within two years of graduation, and nearly half are in either two- or four-year institutions at that time.…

Describes a prewriting technique in which technical writing students are given a tool or mechanism with which they are unfamiliar and told to figure out what the object is from a series of clues. (HTH)

Relates a teaching assistant's experience of assigning student journals in a first-year composition class. Discusses the assignment, responses to journal entries, discoveries, and dilemmas. Concludes that they are worthwhile. (SR)

Argues that prewriting is the most important skill to emphasize and practice extensively in basic writing classes. Describes basic writers as almost universally neglecting prewriting activities. Suggests some guidelines for teaching prewriting effectively. (HB)

Uses a student essay and dialog journal entries to discuss problems raised by context in grading student writing. Encourages teachers to rethink the whole system of grading and to discuss their conclusions openly. (SR)

Presents a brief introductory essay on poet and teacher William Stafford and an interview with him in which he discusses his belief that the teaching of writing requires an attitude of acceptance and a minimum of evaluation. (SR)

This study compared student academic achievement in two college readiness programs, Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) and attempted to determine how well program participation predict student performance compared to variables such as SES, parent education level, GPA, gender, and SAT II scores. Finally, the research…

Describes a system for grading student compositions that evaluates the central idea, support material, organization, expression, and literacy, as a supplement to written comments from the teacher. Contains a copy of the grade and comment sheet. (HTH)

Argues that teachers knowingly or unknowingly use grades to reward and punish students for their behavior, attitude, appearance, family backgrounds, and lifestyles, as well as writing ability. Describes how the author has been suspicious throughout her career of her own grading biases, and how she attempted, through an experiment in anonymous…

The annual reports of five subcommittees of the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges' Developmental Mathematics Curriculum Committee (AMATYC-DMC) are preceded by a statement of goals for a remedial mathematics curriculum. The Hand-Held Calculator Subcommittee reported the results of a 12-item questionnaire distributed to college…

Explains how, in a second-semester freshman composition course, Louise Rosenblatt's model for the process of reading literature was used with James Moffett's concept of the process of writing to create a linked series of reading-writing exercises based on Joyce's "Counterparts." (FL)