Author Description

Noting the improvement that has occurred in the teaching of writing since the introduction of the process approach to instruction, this book offers suggestions for still more improvement and for solving the problems that arise in the teaching of writing. The first section of the book stresses the importance of letting children write and of building a curriculum on writing, while the second section discusses the various stages of the writing process and how they can be incorporated into a balanced writing program. The third section reviews writing topics, detailing the problems of imposed topics and the secrets of successful ones. In addition, this section offers suggestions for assisting children in developing their topics in a number of subject areas. The fourth section discusses the conference approach to writing, stressing both its difficulties and its strengths. The fifth section poses 10 questions teachers should ask about writing, including: (1) What is the importance of writing? (2) What differences are there between speech and writing? (3) What are the stages in writing development? and (4) How can poetry writing be taught? The sixth section contains six special studies dealing with children's writing, and the last section offers tips for writing teachers in the areas of language usage, grammar, and style. (FL)