Research in Basic Writing A Bibliographic Sourcebook

Subjects:

• Communications » Communications (General)

Reviews:

• This useful collection of bibliographic essays about basic writing attempts to outline the central issues associated with the teaching of unprepared writers. The work continues `The Basics' section of Research in Composition and Rhetoric: A Bibliographic Sourcebook, ed. by Moran and R.G. Lunsford (1984). It examines the field of basic writing from three theoretical perspectives: social science, linguistic, and pedagogical. The contributors account for the varying definitions of basic writing and basic writers and are aware of the important issues and names in modern rhetoric and in developmental and cognitive psychology. Although the essays focus on basic writing, many of the issues are applicable to general writers as well, particularly in the sections `TESL Research and Basic Writing' and `Computers and Writing Instruction.' Name and subject indexes provide additional access points. This work will be of great interest and use to teachers of basic writers and to students and researchers in this field. Highly recommended for academic libraries at all levels.
  —Choice
• Presents ten bibliographic essays surveying recent research on issues associated with the teaching of unprepared writers. Also helps define the field of study, recognized only since 1975. The three sections provide social science, lnguistic, and pedagogical perspedctives. An appendix lists and discusses a selection of textbooks. Of interest to teachers and teacher trainers.
  —Reference & Research Book News

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Social Science Perspectives
• Who are Basic Writers? by Andrea Lunsford and Patricia A. Sullivan
• Development Psychology and Basic Writers by Donna Haisty Winchell
• Literacy Theory and Basic Writing by Mariolina Salvatori and Glynda Hull
• Linguistic Perspectives
• Modern Grammar and Basic Writers by Ronald F. Lunsford
• Dialects and Basic Writers by Michael Montgomery
• TESL Research and Basic Writing by Sue Render
• Pedalogical Perspectives
• Basic Writing Courses and Programs by Michael D. Hood
• Computers and Writing Instruction by Stephen A. Bernhardt and Patricia G. Wojahn
• Writing Laboratories and Basic Writing by Donna Beth Nelson
• Preparing Teachers of Basic Writing by Richard Filloy
• Appendix: Selective Bibliography of Basic Writing Textbooks by Mary Sue Ply
• Name Index
• Subject Index