Teaching Writing in Middle and Secondary Schools Theory, Research and Practice

by Soven, Margot Iris

• ISBN13: 9780205188970
• ISBN10: 0205188974
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-12-09
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This innovative book speaks directly to students preparing to teach writing and to practicing teachers who want to improve their ability to teach writing. Using practical explanations of teaching strategies and many examples of assignments and student writing, the book offers novel methods through which to teach the writing process and new techniques to effectively evaluate and respond to student writing. Chapters include: What English Teachers Need to Know about Writing; Teaching the Writing Process; Evaluating and Responding to Student Writing; Designing Writing Assignments; Writing about Literature; Composition Curricula: Four Approaches; and Joining the Profession. For pre-service and in-service teachers of middle and secondary school students.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
1 What English Teachers Need to Know about Writing	1	(10)
Maintaining Students' Positive Attitudes toward Writing	2	(2)
How You Become an Effective Instructor of Writing	4	(1)
What Do You Already Know about Writing?	5	(1)
How Can This Book Help You to Become an Effective Writing Instructor?	6	(1)
Conclusion	7	(4)
2 New Goals for Writing Instruction	11	(14)
A Brief History	11	(4)
Composition Research: New Approaches	15	(4)
Technology and Teaching Writing	19	(1)
Conclusion	20	(5)
3 Teaching the Writing Process	25	(40)
Teaching the Writing Process through Self-Reflection	25	(7)
Teaching the Writing Process: Strategies for Composing	32	(1)
Prewriting and Planning Techniques	33	(8)
Writing Time: Drafting and Revising	41	(10)
Publishing	51	(1)
Conclusion	52	(13)
4 Teaching about Sentences	65	(44)
The Development of Sentence Skills	66	(2)
How Error Analysis Can Contribute to Teaching Sentence Skills	68	(4)
Techniques for Helping Students Improve Sentences	72	(1)
Where Does Grammar Fit In?	73	(4)
Sentence Combining and Generative Rhetoric	77	(8)
Assorted Exercises in Sentence Composing	85	(1)
Teaching Style	86	(3)
Sentence Instruction: Nonstandard Dialect and ESL Students	89	(4)
The Computer and Sentence Instruction	93	(1)
Conclusion	94	(15)
5 Evaluating and Responding to Student Writing	109	(26)
Too Much Evaluation, Too Much Grading	110	(3)
What Is the Value of Not Grading?	113	(1)
Evaluation and Response: How Do They Differ?	114	(12)
Conferencing	126	(1)
Portfolios	127	(6)
Conclusion	133	(2)
6 Designing Writing Assignments	135	(22)
How Much Structure? How Much Freedom?	137	(3)
Assignment Terminology: What Is the Difference between Explain and Discuss?	140	(1)
Choosing the Assignment: What Should Students Write About?	141	(2)
Sequencing Assignments: How Do We Increase Assignment Difficulty?	143	(1)
The Purpose and Audience for the Assignment: Why Are We Writing? For Whom Are We Writing?	144	(1)
Assignment Deadlines: When Is the Paper Due?	145	(1)
Developing Evaluation Criteria: "How Can I Get an A?"	146	(1)
Assigning and Evaluating Ungraded Writing: "Teacher, How Will You Grade My Journal?"	147	(7)
Conclusion	154	(3)
7 Writing about Literature	157	(40)
Writing about Literature	158	(1)
Responding to Literature: Three Dimensions	158	(4)
Responding to Literature: The Reader-Response Approach	162	(4)
Writing the Formal Essay about Literature	166	(4)
Writing about Literature: Alternatives to the Essay	170	(2)
Writing Fiction, Poetry, and Plays	172	(3)
Writing Imaginative Literature and Teaching the Essay	175	(1)
The Computer and Teaching Literature	176	(1)
Conclusion	176	(21)
8 Composition Curricula: Four Approaches	197	(44)
The Correctness Approach	201	(2)
The Personal Growth Approach	203	(4)
The Rhetorical Approach	207	(8)
The Sociocultural Approach	215	(5)
District Curriculum Guides and Classroom Writing Programs	220	(1)
Designing Writing Units	221	(7)
Conclusion	228	(13)
9 Reflection, Research, and Teaching Writing	241	(44)
The Teacher as Researcher	243	(6)
The Teacher as Writer	249	(4)
The Mechanics of Journal Keeping	253	(2)
Writing by Teachers for Teachers	255	(1)
Benefits: The Teacher-Researcher and the Teacher-Writer	256	(2)
The Value of Teacher Research for Students	258	(2)
The Value of Teacher Research to the Academic Community	260	(2)
Conclusion	262	(23)
10 Joining the Profession	285	(18)
The National Council of Teachers of English	286	(1)
Professional Journals	286	(6)
Professional Conferences	292	(1)
Submitting Proposals	292	(2)
Support for Your Research	294	(1)
The National Writing Project	295	(1)
Special-Interest Organizations	296	(1)
The Internet	297	(1)
Conclusion	297	(6)
Index	303