Research in the Teaching of English - Volume 27, Issue 4, 1993

This investigation sought to determine how the active meaning-making process of 10 sixth-grade students with above average reading and writing ability was reflected in their written responses to four books of realistic fiction. Students kept literature response journals to record their ongoing thoughts and reflections during the reading process. The nine-point categorization scheme that emerged from the content of students’ responses was used to analyze the journals of 4 of these students in order to determine individual response styles. Further analysis revealed the sequence of response for these 4 students during each quarter of their reading and writing. The study suggests how complex and unique response to literature is for even upper elementary and middle school students

This five-month study examined the writing behavior of 8 fifth-grade students as they composed original mathematics story problems. An analysis of observations indicated that students developed three strategies for writing story problems. First, students usually engaged in question-directed behavior during problem writing. After they identified the general problem topic, students generated the culminating question that they then used to guide composition of the problem text. At other times, students used a free association strategy: They generated their information by making associations with the general topic, wrote the problem text, and then identified the culminating question. Finally, all students developed techniques to make their problems more difficult. Overall, the analysis of students, problem writing behavior contributes to an understanding of the story-problem writing process. The study further suggests that students may be able to collaborate effectively with teachers in writing the mathematics curriculum.

Most studies dealing with feedback and revision focus on teachers and students in composition courses. However, there is insufficient evidence for assuming that these studies are applicable to writing situations in non-composition courses. To investigate the writing processes of non-composition students, this study describes patterns of feedback and revision in four writing across the curriculum (WAC) courses. The first and final drafts of 20 WAC students were analyzed by a team of readers to determine the following: 1) the apparent aims and criteria underlying the feedback they received on first drafts; 2) the extent to which the students utilized this feedback while revising; 3) the criteria most affected by the revisions; and 4) the extent of the revisions. Several patterns that emerged in this study resemble those found in research involving composition classrooms, although there are some differences as well. The study also highlights several issues for future research, including the source of a writer’s or reader’s criteria for effective writing and the comparative value of global and non-global revisions.

Editor’s Note: Selected, annotated bibliographies of research in the teaching of English appear in the May and December issues of RTE. In general the items selected for inclusion in each bibliography are drawn from the dissertation abstracts in DAI and from articles or books published from July to December preceding the May issue and from January to June preceding the December issue. Annotations of items drawn from DAI are based on the abstracts; annotations of other items are based on the full texts of those items.

We ask readers to call our attention to published research we may have overlooked inadvertently or to notify us of newly published books containing research in the areas coveredb y the bibliographyf or possible inclusion in the review. Please send questions or comments to Richard L. Larson, 30 Greenridge Ave., 5-H, White Plains, NY 10605-1237.