Assesses how three basic writers adapted word processing to their writing. Finds that basic writers who were given little guidance in integrating the computer into their composing processes generated little material on the screen and in other ways made far less than full use of the word processor. (RS)

Asks whether concerns over helping students enter the academic discourse community are not at odds with the pedagogical aims of the interpretive community of the classroom. Suggests that teachers engage students in a dialogue that respects the complexity and value of both student and academic discourse. (RS)

Reviews research examining factors that impede Native American writing success. Suggests specific instructional techniques for establishing background for successful reading and writing. Examines Indian cultural realities and applies them to teaching models. Provides general guidelines, observations and approaches for teaching English to Native…

Illustrates the strength of the Socratic method by showing its applicability to a troubled student. Discusses feedback in the process-oriented approach to writing instruction, examining the purpose, nature, and focus of response. (MS)

Suggests several strategies for producing fluent, legible penmanship for both left and right handed students. Observes that reading readiness skills can be reinforced through handwriting instruction. Describes several physical considerations for successful writing, and notes the modifications needed for left handed writers. (MM)

Thirteen intermediate-level students with learning disabilities and poor writing ability were taught how to use a prestructured story web to improve their narrative story writing ability. Students improved in the primary target behaviors of planning time and holistic (quality) score but showed inconsistent results for other target behaviors such…

Elementary students with writing problems (n=24) were given summer instruction in handwriting automaticity, spelling strategies, and composing. Participants improved at a faster rate than controls on some measures, and some differences were maintained at six-month follow-up. Discussion of results stresses the importance of affect and motivation as…

Argues that understanding assignments is the first step toward successful college writing. Urges instructors to support students by helping them to decode assignments. Breaks down instructions into individual tasks including (1) writing an essay, (2) examining an issue, (3) reviewing articles and books, and (4) focusing on some texts. Defines each…

A review of the literature on writing block looks at two kinds: inability to write in a timely, fluent fashion, and reluctance by academicians to assist others in writing. Obstacles to fluent writing are outlined, four historical trends in treating blocks are discussed, and implications are examined. (MSE)

This article presents a seven-step informal assessment procedure for evaluating the form and function of paragraph composition, useful with students who have difficulty in written expression. The procedure uses dichotomous scoring to reduce subjectivity, facilitates instructional decision making, awards points for grammatically correct sentences,…

Examined prevalence of writing problems among 1,274 middle school students from 3 middle schools in southeastern, midwestern, and western United States. Data suggest high prevalence of writing problems in these middle school populations when compared to normal curve expectations, particularly when using spontaneous writing samples in diverse…

Describes the author's experiences as the parent of a son who struggled from preschool until high school graduation. Describes the lack of power and respect that parents of struggling learners feel and the damage to the student of being labeled a slow learner. Notes most teachers did not see his strengths, abilities, and interests, but only…

This article discusses the development of the story form, examines the written narrative patterns of students with learning disabilities, and discusses the reasons for their difficulties with this genre of writing. Instructional approaches are presented that have been effective in improving written narrative skills of these students. (Contains…

Explains how a computer-based basic writing course relied on small group communication and cooperation to surmount fears of the computer and of writing. Argues that the course helped students work through the "I-You" polarity, the disparity between the author ("I") and the writer ("You"). (TB)

Administers 23 psychometric measures of reading, writing, and related language processes to 102 elementary students and their parents. Notes results are consistent with claim of functional systems theory that the same language processes are orchestrated flexibly depending on task at hand. Finds number of language deficits uniquely predicted…