Witte, Stephen P. "Pre-Text and Composing." CCC 38.4 (1987): 397-425.

Abstract:

Witte argues that the writer's pre-text, or mental construction of "text" prior to transcription, is such an important composing phenomenon that there must be more theoretical and empirical research in writing on it, specifically think-aloud protocols. From his own research on college freshmen's pre-texts, he makes four observations about pre-text: pre-text directly affects the direction of the written text; pre-text can be stored in the writer's memory and used in the text; revising pre-text uses the same strategies as revising written text; and pre-text is not a rigid step in the composing process but a necessary link between translating ideas to written text.

McLeod, Susan. "Some Thoughts about Feelings: The Affective Domain and the Writing Process." CCC 38.4 (1987): 426-435.

Abstract:

McLeod writes that composition studies would benefit from more research on the emotional or affective aspect of writing as it relates to writing anxiety, motivation, and cultural and personal beliefs about writing. She proposes a theory of affect based on George Mandler from which to study these three areas. She claims that it is impossible to write without triggering some emotions, and instructors should help their students channel their emotions so that they enable them during the writing process instead of impede them.

Brand, Alice G. "The Why of Cognition: Emotion and the Writing Process." CCC 38.4 (1987): 436-443.

Abstract:

Brand accuses the field of side-stepping the importance of the affect in the composing process and asserts that the affect plays a central role in writing, as writing is an act of decision making, choices, and motivation, all which derive from affect, not cognition. She contests the notion that the best writing is emotionally neutral, citing that as humans, we have moral orientations and beliefs that result in commitments that are not disposable. Pure cognitive research in writing has its limits, and in order to fully understand the writing process, researchers must look for the connection and collaboration between the emotion and cognition in writing.

Corbett, Edward P. J. "Teaching Composition: Where We've Been and Where We're Going." CCC 38.4 (1987): 444-452.

Abstract:

This is the second personal perspective essays published in CCC, and in it, Corbett surveys the direction the field has gone during his academic career. He points at the enhanced professionalism of compositionists, the growth of the graduate programs, the increase in published books on the history, practice, and theory of composition, special conferences in specific sub-topics in the field, and the growth of new journals and new research practices to report in those journals. He also details the changes he's seen in the teaching of composition, specifically more attention paid to technical and business writing, writing across the curriculum initiatives, English as a second language, the development of cognitive skills in students, and the writing process. He warns teachers, though, that they must constantly evaluate how they teach to make sure they are doing everything possible to help their students be better writers.

Schwartz, Helen J., and Lillian S. Bridwell-Bowles. "A Selected Bibliography on Computers in Composition: An Update." CCC 38.4 (1987): 453-457.

Abstract:

This bibliography updates the 1984 CCC bibliography on computers in composition. All the material in the bibliography was published between 1984 and 1987.

Bizzaro, Patrick and Stuart Werner. "Collaboration of Teacher and Counselor in Basic Writing." CCC 38.4 (1987): 458-461.

Ruszkiewicz, John J. "Training Teachers Is a Process Too." CCC 38.4 (1987): 461-464.

Harris, Jeanette. "Proofreading: A Reading/Writing Skill." CCC 38.4 (1987): 464-466.

Loux, Ann. "Using Imitations in Literature Classes." CCC 38.4 (1987): 466-472.

Whitehill, Sharon. "Using the Journal for Discovery: Two Devices." CCC 38.4 (1987): 472-474.

Liszka, Thomas R. "Formulating a Thesis for Essays Employing Comparison." CCC 38.4 (1987): 474-477.

Appleby, Bruce C., and Stephen A. Bernhardt. Rev. of Writing with HBJ Writer by Lisa Gerrard; A Writer's Introduction to Word Processing by Christine Hult and Jeanette Harris; Processing Words: Writing and Revising on a Microcomputer by Bruce L. Edwards, Jr.; Textfiles: A Rhetoric for Word Processing by Ronald A. Sudol. CCC 38.4 (1987): 478-483.

Rev. of Writing at Century's End: Essays on Computer-Assisted Composition by Lisa Gerrard. CCC 38.4 (1987): 483-484.

Bizzell, Patricia. Rev. of Invention as a Social Act by Karen Burke LeFevre. CCC 38.4 (1987): 485-486.

Warnock, John. Rev. of Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch, Jr. CCC 38.4 (1987): 486-490.

Stewart, Donald C. Rev. of Longman Bibliography of Composition and Rhetoric: 1984-1985 by Erika Lindemann. CCC 38.4 (1987): 490-491.

MacDonald, Susan Peck. Rev. of Writing by Elizabeth Cowan Neeld. CCC 38.4 (1987): 491-492.